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THE 


WILTSHIRE 
Arehealagiral ok Hotel AWistary 
MAGAZINE, 


Published under the Birection of the Huciety 


FORMED IN THAT COUNTY A.D. 1853, 


VOL. VI. 


DEVIZES: 
Henry Butt, 4, Sarnt Jonn STREET. 
LONDON: 
Brut & Darpy, 186, Fixer Street; J. R. Surru, 36, Sono Square. 


DEVIZES: 
PRINTED BY HENRY BULL, 
ST. JOHN STREET. 


CONTENTS OF VOL. VI. 


No. XDE. 


The Bradford Clay and its Fossils: By Mr. W. Cunntneton, F.G.S. 
Broughton Gifford. History of the Parish, (continued): By the Rev. 
OLN VW CEKENSONA MOAL, 5. i20c...0 a Men isi itie ajo a aitibie esters eine’ 


The Harding Family, their Pedigree, 11. Court Leets, 15. Parochial POM Vr 
Houses, 22. Population, 23. Agricultural Industry, 29, Manufacturing Industry, 36. 
Parochial Economy, 38. Means of Communication, 39. 
EccLEsIAsTICAL AND Reicious History. The Parish Church, 43. Church Temporali- 
ties, 49. Church-House, 52. Rectors, 54. Parochial School, 58. 
Narurat History. Land; Surface, 58. Geology, 59. Water; River Avon, 60. 
Broughton Brook, 63. Climate, 64. Barometrical Observations, 65. The Flora of 
Broughton Gifford, 68. 
Oldbury Hill. Account of a Barrow opened 1858: By Mr. W. Cun- 

Nineton, F.G.8,........ Fcddecdpsundhow socooupencedue amo edee 
Wiltshire Tradesman’s Tokens: By Wintram Boyne, F.S.A......... 
Flora of Wiltshire, No. IV.: By T. B. Fitownr, Ese, M.R.C.S., &e... 
Stanley Abbey, A Refugee at: By the Rey. Canon Jackson, F.S.A.. 
Wonntious to tho Museum and Library.......0 ..c0cccinecesscseese 


fo, YOULL. 


Bishop’s Cannings, Historical Memoirs of the Parish: By the Ven, 
PCED MACHR MACDONALD 2. .ia Maiev nines wom ed's fa siae sien eine sine 


ManoriAt History, 121. Tything of Cannings, 124. Bourton and Easton, 128. Cote, 
130. Horton, 131, Chapelry of St. James, Southbroom, 132, Roundway, 134. 
Wick, 138. Chittoe, 139. 

Ecc.zsiAsTioAL History, 141. The Vicarage, 142. Parish Chureh, 144. ‘Carrell’? 
or reading-chair, 147. Cnaririgs, 151. Mr. T. Stevens, 152. Dr. James Pound, 
153. Gxotoey of the Parish, 154. 


Roundway Hill, Account of Ancient British and Anglo-Saxon Barrows: 
Seerea ds WV CURMINGTON, CuO, Vo wascinalee'stecveeese dave 
Ornithology of Wilts, No. 9: By the Rey. A. C. Smiru. [ Insessores 


continued. } 
Sylviadew. 167. Paridw, 177. Ampelidmw, 179. Motacillide, 180. 
Brands and Forgeries of Antiques.......2.  s0scdeces secesucvece 


Duchy of Lancaster, Survey of its Manors in Co. Wilts............. 


North Standen, 187. Albourne, 188. Hannington, 189. Upavon, 190. Easterton 
Gernon (in Market Lavington), 191. Manningford Bohun, 192. Everley, 193. 
Netheravon, 194. Berwick St. James, 195, Poole, 197, Oaksey, 198. Ashley, 199, 
Braden Forest, 200, 


73 
75- 91 
92-117 
117 
119 


129-159 


159-167 


183-186 
186-200 


iv. d | CONTENTS.—VoL. VI. 


Wild Darell of Littlecote, (No. 2): By C. E. Lone, Esa............. 201-214 
The Dead Drummer, a Legend of Salisbury Plain: By J. WAYLEN, Esq. 215-223 
The Picts: By: the Rey. Jay. HOSS, s MACs. Sac ayer wieteicle' wi ayeers alee 224-244 


fo. XVI. 


Account of the Sixth General Meeting, at Marlborough, 27th, 28th, 


and 29th September, 1859................ Poel acranes a sardc 245-255 
Articles exhibited at the Temporary Museum......... seeeaaee 256-260 
Great Bedwyn: By the Rev. Joun Warp, M.A., Rector of Wath, Co. 

aT eee an eS RE SOO COI ODA OOO OTe COC ot 1 261-291 


I.—The Parish and Church. 
Roman Antiquities, 261. The Lordship, 263. Wolfhall, 264. The Esturmy Horn, 
265. Ecctestasricat History, 267. Vicars, 268. St. Nicholas, East Grafton, 270. 
Stock, 271. Marten, 273. Great Bedwyn Church, 274. Seymour Monuments, 28]. 
Dr. Thomas Willis, 288. Charites, 290. 


II.—The Representative History of Great Bedwyn.........-.. «. 291-316 
Barrows on the Downs of North Wilts, Examination of, in 1853-57: 
By John Thurnam, M.D., F.S.A. 0.0... cece ee ce eee cee eee ee 317-336 


Flora of Wiltshire, (No. 5): By T. B. Frowrr, Esa., M.R.C.S., &¢, 337-364 
The Great Wiltshire Storm of December 30th, 1859: By the Rey. A. 


CUS Sanprern. MAS eri ate sic oess cates leap ter oycnaiel «cin hel@ayy/reneteieaptetere 365-388 
Wild Darell of Littlecote, (No. 3): By C. E. Lone, ‘Eso Pre eh are 389-396 
Donations to the Museum and Library............-.222+ eeeee sees 397 

Lllustrations. 


Bradford Clay Fossils, 5. Brass of Robert Long—Broughton Gifford Church, 
48, Funereal Urn found at Oldbury Hill, 73. 


Bishop’s Cannings Church, 144. The “Carrell” or old reading-chair i in Bishop’s 
Cannings Church, 147. Circle of Stones at Stennis in the Orkneys, 242. 


Horn of the Esturmys; Ditto details, 265. View of East Grafton Church, 
270. Borough Seal of Great Bedwyn; Ancient Pax found at East Grafton, 
271. Marten Chapel: Ground plan; Ivory carving, and Stained glass, 273. 
View of Great Bedwyn Church, 275. Tomb of Sir John Seymour, 283. 
Skull from Morgan’s Hill, 318. Drinking Cup from Pound Down barrow, 
321. View from Seven Barrow Hill: and relics found there, 329. Seal of 
Weavers’ Company at Salisbury; Ancient Seal, supposed Monastic, 396. 


WILTSHIRE 


Areheologeal ont Matural Wrstory 


MAGAZINE. 


No. XVI. JULY, 1859. Von. Vi. 
Contents. 
PAGE 
Tue Braprorp Cxay and its Fossils: By Mr. W. Cunnington, F.G.S. 1- 10 
Brovucuron GirrorD. History of the Parish, (continued): By the Rev. 
John. Wilkinson, M.A. 2.2... 101.0. SE GOL eA DEO Oo OAC ee 1l- 72 
The Harding Family, their Pepicres, 11. Court Leets,15. Parochial Registers, 
17. Houses, 22. Population, 23. Agricultural Industry, 29. Manufacturing Indus- 
try, 36. Parochial Economy, 38. Means of Communication, 39. 
EccLESIASTICAL AND Retigious History. The Parish Church, 43. Church Tem- 
poralties, 49. Church-house, 52. Rectors, 54. Parochial School, 58. 
Narvurat Hisvory. Land; Surface, 58. Geology, 59. Water; River Avon, 60. 
Broughton Brook, 63. Climate, 64. Barometrical Observations, 65. The Flora of 
Broughton Gifford, 68. 
Oxpecry Hitt. Account of a Barrow opened 1858: By Mr. W. Cun- 
BMMEEREOTINM IN Ch: Sarria ats, Covers cine seiein, st satAakes ccc te ere ciel Re ost Gaeieiay = eves re 73 
Wirrsuire TrRapEsMAN’s Tokens: By William Boyne, F.S.A.. ..... 75- 91 
Frora or WIittsHire, No. IV.: By T. B. Flower, Esq., M.R.C.S8., &, 92-117 
Srantey ApseEy, A Refugee at: By the Rey. Canon Jackson......... 117 
Donations to the Museum and Library ........ 2.0... cee cce secceese 119 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
EAC COT AAG Aye MOSREIS 1 3c, Maid oc taisteriacn st «aitiate geo eee re eve 5 
Brass of Robert Won Bendehice Gifford Chureh, 48 
. Funereal Urn found at Oldbury Hill. .............. See: 
DEVIZES: 
Henry Bott, 4, Saint Jonn Srreer, 
LONDON: 


Breit & Darpy, 116, Fixer Srrerr; J. R. Smrru, 36, Sono Sauary, 


le ee Sh 


WILTSHIRE MAGAZINE. 


‘“CMULTORUM MANIBUS GRANDE LEVATUR ONUS.’’—Ovid. 


On the Bradford Clay and its fossils: 


By Mr. Cunnineron, F.G.S. 
READ BEFORE THE MEETING OF THE SocinTY AT BRADFORD-0N-AVON, 
Auveust 12TH, 1857. 
LTHOUGH I should have been better satisfied had some 

FAS local geologist occupied my place upon this occasion, still I 
feel it a duty, to the best of my ability, to bring before you a 
subject specially interesting from its connexion with the place of 
our assembling: the Bradford Clay and its Fossils. We should I 
think, as a Society, make it our object to investigate fully the 
Archeology and Natural History of the particular locality in 
which our Annual Meeting is held. The first of these has been 
ably elucidated by the Rev. W. H. Jones in his paper of yesterday 
morning, and I would now, “haud passibus wquis,” endeavour to 
supply a portion of the second, by giving you a sketch of the geo- 
logical history of the neighbourhood. 

I have the more cheerfully prepared a second notice of the Geo- 
logy of Wiltshire, having been assured of the willingness of our 
much respected Ex-President, Mr. G. Poulett Scrope, to continue 
the series.! 

The stratum known as the Bradford clay, is of marine origin, 
and consists of a bed of pale yellowish or grey clay, with occasional 
thin layers of irregular limestone and calcareous grit, lying wnder 
the Forest Marble, and above the Great Oolite and Fullers’ earth. 

It may be well studied in the quarries at Berefield, on the north 


‘Since the above was written, Mr. Scrope’s tirst paper on Wiltshire Geology 
has been published in the Magazine, vol. vy. p. 89. A foretaste with which the 
members must have been much gratified. 


VOL. VI. NO. XVI. B 


2 Bradford Clay and its Fossils. 


of this town. It is of very variable thickness, being seldom more than 
a few feet, often only a few inches deep, whilst at Farleigh Castle 
and at Tellisford it isas much as 50 feetin depth. For the benefit of 
those who are not acquainted with the order of sequence of the Brit- 
ish strata, it may be well to describe the position which the Bradford 
clay occupies in the series.' It occurs about the middle of the 
fossiliferous strata of this county, having immediately below it 
the Great Oolite—then follow the Fullers’ earth, the Lias, the Car- 
boniferous limestone, Coal measures, &c., &c. 

Commencing immediately above it, we have the Forest marble, 
Cornbrash, Oxford clay, and Kelloway rock; then the Coral rag, 
and the associated Calcareous grit and Kimmeridge clay; the 
Wealden beds, the Purbeck and Portland Oolites. Then commence 
the Cretaceous group, viz: —Lower Green sand, Gault, Upper Green 
sand, and Chalk. Above these are the Tertiary strata: and lastly 
we have the older Flint drift, the Mammalian drift, Brick earth, 
and the Great Northern drift. 

These strata, more than twenty in number, were (with the excep- 
tion of the Wealden and some of the Tertiaries, which are of fresh 
water origin) deposited very gradually, a few inches, or even less 
at a time, at the bottom of the sea; and although all of them may 
not have been accumulated above this particular locality, yet all of 
them were formed here, or in the surrounding districts subsequently 
to the formation of the Bradford clay. There is good evidence 
that many of the strata enumerated, were once lying above the 
Bradford clay, on this very spot, and that they have been removed 
by the disruption and denudation which modified the forms of the 
surrounding vallies and hills, as their bouldered fragments may be 
abundantly found in the drift gravel of the district. 

The question has lately been put to me ‘‘ What is the age of the 
Bradford clay ?”’ Theanswer is written on the rocks around us,— 
nature’s own stereotype,—though in language of such sublime 
antiquity, that our limited faculties cannot grasp its full purport. 
The strata above mentioned having been deposited to the depth of 


1 Vide Mr. Scrope’s admirable description of the British strata, in the paper 
already alluded to. 


By Mr. Cunnington, F.G.S8. 3 


at least 4850 feet since the Bradford clay period, we may thus 
arrive at some conception, though but a feeble one, of its extreme 
antiquity. 

Geologists are very generally agreed that the Bradford clay 
ought not to be considered as distinct from the Forest marble, and in 
the geologically coloured sheets of the Ordnance Map lately issued, 
no distinction is made between the Bradford clay and the Forest 
marble; it is in fact considered as part of the latter stratum. On 
this subject Mr. Lycett, whose valuable contributions to the Pal- 
zeontology of the British strata are so well known, has favoured 
me with a note in which he expresses his opinion, that the term 
Bradford clay considered as a distinct stratum does not apply to 
Gloucestershire! Nevertheless as indicating the lower clayey 
portions of the Forest marble, in which great numbers of the 
Apiocrinites are usually found, the name Bradford clay is for con- 
venience sake still retained. 

The Bradford clay of Wiltshire is confined to a band on the 
north-west of the county, but it is most extensively developed near 
this town (hence its name), and here the fossil remains are the 
most interesting. Mr. Lonsdale says, ‘It appears forming a thin 
bed in the neighbourhood of Yatton Keynell and Giddy Hall, but 
between the latter point and Berefield, near Bradford, it is want- 


1Mr. Lycett says, ‘‘ The bands of clay and marl which occur throughout the 
Forest marble and upper portions of the Great Oolite” (in Gloucestershire) ‘‘are 
extremely irregular and little persistent; so much so that in draining it rarely 
happens that a bed can be followed 200 or 300 yards, however important it may 
appear in some parts of its course. None of these clay bands have produced 
Apiocrinites as far as I am aware, and I only know of two places which have 
produced Terebratula decussata (coarctata) and Terebratula digona (see wood- 
cut at page 5); Avicula costata and Avicula echinata have a vertical range too 
considerable to be of any use. Decapitated stems of Apiocrinus are not uncom- 
mon in the upper limestones (the upper zone of the Great Oolite, with Pachy- 
risma grande, of Mr. Hull). From the top of these white limestones to the 
Cornbrash there is no elear lithological division, and for a zoological division I 
think that none can be made between the lower beds of the Great Oolite and 
the base of the Cornbrash.” 

My friend Professor Buckman of the Royal Agricultural College, says, 
‘There can be no objection to include the Bradford clay with the Forest mar- 
ble, of which indeed it may be said to be the fossiliferous bank of deposit.” 


Be . 


4 Bradford Clay and its Fossils. 


ing, the Forest marble being visible, resting on the Great Oolite at 
Pickwick and Wormwood. At Berefield the clay re-appears, con- 
stituting a thick stratum, which may be traced from that village, by 
Bradford, Upper Westwood, and Farleigh Castle: but through the 
southern part of the district it is difficult to separate the Bradford 
clay from the Fullers’ earth.” 1. It occurs occasionally still further 
northwards, and may be seen along the line of railway near Kemble 
in North Wilts, but in no place has it the same interest as in this 
immediate neighbourhood. 


LZ FEM \ Forest Marble. 


=——=Be= | Bradford Clay. 


QS Re 
pf GY / / Cae eh 4 SS WQAasg SS 
$ ge o res ee 7 = 
VAL LALLA IE Al EO EGY, 
ee 


ES ca - NZ P 
Sa G-0- Great Oolite. 


a a 
ese mt ey | 

E a aa 
~_o 7 7 


i 
a re c Lv = is a0, ol — 


Cas 


Section near Kemble Station, communicated by Professor Buckman, exhibiting the 
manner in which the Bradford clay occasionally ‘‘ thins out.” 


The cutting of the Great Western Railway at the eastern end 
of the Box tunnel, exhibits a good section of the Bradford clay, 
but‘ in this locality it is much interrupted by bands of oolitic 
limestone. It contains many fine Corals and Echini, which have 
been carefully investigated by Mr. Kilvert of Bath, to whom the 
Society is indebted for the loan of a beautiful series of these fossils, 
now exhibited. 


Before describing more particularly the fossils contained in the 
Bradford clay, it is necessary that I should make some reference 
to the Great or Bath Oolite, on which the stratum rests, and 


on which a portion of this town stands. This is a calcareous 
ad. 


Geological section of the neighbourhood of Bradford, showing the general distribution of the strata. 


Bd. Braprorp. Bx. Box. L. Lias. 1.0. Inferior Oolite. F.E. Fullers’ Earth. G.O. Great 
Oolite. b.c. Bradford clay. f.m. Forest marble. C. Cornbrash. m. Mammalian drift. a.d. More 
ancient drift. 


- 1 Transactions Geological Society, 2nd series, vol. ili. part 2. 


By Mr. Cunnington, F.G.S. 5 


stratum, yielding the well known building stone. It was deposited 
in a shallow sea, the bottom of which was constantly sinking, and 
as constantly filling up, until the mass, which consists chiefly of 
the debris of small shells and corals, had accumulated to the 
depth of at least 160 feet. In this particular neighbourhood, when 
this process had ceased, and the whole mass had become consoli- 
dated, it presented a firm surface, well suited to the growth of the 
Apiocrinus which required a solid base, on which to spread out its 


stony roots. 


f Apiocrinus Parkinsoni. Brad- 

ford encrinite—the smaller 
2 figures represent the animal 
‘ in its young state—the one 
q with the arms expanded, the 
y other having them closed. 


Terebratula decussata (or coarctata), one of the erty 
most characteristic fossils of the Bradford clay. characteristic of the stratum. 


Let us like true archeologists step back 
some thousands of years into the past, and 
endeavour to realize the period when the 
stone lilies grew in luxuriance in the tran- 
quil sea which covered the spot where we 
are now meeting. Here many generations 
of them lived and flourished, until the sea 
bottom was like a parterre of these mimic 
flowers in stone. Several species of Terebra- 
tule (or lamp shells) clustered round the 
roots of the Apiocrinites. Many species of fish 
glided through these ancient waters, and oc- 
casionally disturbed the tranquillity of the 
scene by preying upon the molluscs, (the 
Terebratule probably included) which doubt- 
less constituted their food, as the palatal 
teeth of some of them are so constructed as 
to be well adapted for crushing shells. 
Echini crawled over the rocks, and corals of 
elegant forms, with other zoophytes and shells 


varied the beauty of the submarine scenery. 


Terebratula digona, also 


6 Bradford Clay and its Fossiis. 


Terebratula flabellum, Terebratula furcata, 
rare and beautiful forms, found in the seetion at the end of the Box tunnel. 


But of all the inhabitants of this ancient sea, the Apiocrinus to 
which I have before alluded, deserves especial notice, as it was at 
this period of the earth’s history, that it attained its greatest de- 
velopement, both in size and numbers. The species most abundant 
here was the Apiocrinus Parkinsoni—Parkinson’s pear-like lily- 
shaped animal. It belongs to the highest class of the Radiata, the 
Echinodermata, and derives its name from the resemblance of its 
body to a pear. In its perfect state, its ten feathery arms gave the 
Apiocrinus somewhat the appearance of a star-fish, growing on a 
tall flexible stem (see woodcut). But to descend to more minute 
detail, the animal consisted, Ist—of a solid root, formed of many 
layers of calcareous stony matter deposited round the base of the 
stem, as may be seen ina section. 2nd—of a long stem, composed 
of about 150 circular discs, with radiated surfaces. In old speci- 
mens, the stem was from 10 inches to a foot in length. The de- 
tached discs were described by old authors as Entrochi, or wheel 
stones, they were also popularly called “giant’s tears,” fairy stones, 
&c.; and as each is perforated in the centre, they were used as rosaries, 
hence in the North of England, joints of some of the species of 
Encrinites are still known as St. Cuthbert’s beads,! in this part of 
the country they are vulgarly called ‘“coach-wheels.” 8rd—The 
body. The upper plates of the stem gradually increased in thick- 
ness and diameter, so as to form the elegant vase shaped body of 
the creature, towards the middle of which, the circular plates were 
succeeded by a more complicated structure, consisting of a set of 
five angular basal plates, two sets, of five each, of intermediate plates, 


a “On a rock by Lindisfarn, 
St. Cuthbert sits and toils to frame 
The sea borne beads that bear his name.’”—Marmion. 


By Mr. Cunnington, F.G.S. 7 


and five superior plates, each of the latter being provided with two 
articulating surfaces from which sprung the arms or fingers. These 
were ten in number, and were fringed on both sides with rows of 
minute tentacula, formed of a vast number of small joints or bones, 
constituting altogether a beautiful star-shaped net, capable of con-" 
tracting and folding in, so as to bring its prey within reach of the 
mouth. The mouth was conveniently situated, just within the base 
of the arms, so as to receive the Animalcules, &c., on which it fed. 

The late Mr. Channing Pearce of this town, who possessed a most 
remarkable series of these fossils, succeeded in obtaining specimens 
having some of their fingers and tentacula preserved even to their 
most minute joints. As many of the Apiocrinites are found lying 
prostrate on the clay, he concluded that the fingers on the upper 
side would as they decomposed, be carried away by the action of 
the waves, whilst those on the under side would by sinking into 
the clay be protected, and remain uninjured. He very ingeniously 
proved the correctness of his views by casting plaster of Paris on 
some specimens as they lay in the quarry, thus forming a solid bed 
for the upper surface, and then turning them over, he carefully 
washed off the clay, and found the arms perfect as he had antici- 
pated. The entire structure of these delicate organs was thus 
fully demonstrated. 

The stem of the Apiocrinus contained about 150 joints, the body 
about 50, and the arms and tentacles together about 8000, forming 
a total of no fewer than 8200 bones in the complete animal. The 
more perfectly preserved specimens often retain a pink or light 
purple tinge, doubtless the remains of their original colour. 

The period during which the Apiocrinites flourished in such 
great profusion, was comparatively short, as their remains are 
principally confined to a few inches only in depth on the surface 
of the Oolite. 

Sir Charles Lyell in his Manual of Geology, speaks of a sudden 
irruption of water charged with mud, which broke the stone lilies 
short off near the roots: but I would suggest another cause for 
their partial destruction, to which I believe Sir Charles himself 
would not object. As proved by Mr. Pearce, the Apiocrinites were 


S. Bradford Clay and its Fossils. 


subjected to the action of the waves after they had fallen down upon 
the bottom of the sea, which could not have been the case had they 
been suddenly covered up with a considerable bed of clay. Instead 
of the catastrophe of mud, it is I think more probable that the clay 
was very gradually deposited; and as it accumulated, it would in 
process of time, form a sea bottom totally unfit for the attachment 
of the roots of these animals. They could not fix themselves upon 
a bed of soft clay, and consequently, although their remains are 
found thinly scattered through some of the upper rocks, they 
ceased to exist in this particular neighbourhood, as soon as the 
change in the sea bottom rendered it unsuitable to their habits. 
It is most probable, that like the fry of many other animals (the 
oyster, &c.,) which are fixed to the rocks in the adult stage of 
their existence, the young Apiocrinites were furnished with organs 
of locomotion, so that they could rove about and suit themselves as 
to the place of their permanent habitation. 

D’Orbigny the French naturalist, speaking of the habitation of 
the Apiocrinide says, “All the species being fossil, it would seem 
difficult to define their mode of existence. If, however, I may 
judge from the places where they lived, and where I have found 
them in abundance, still in situ, I should say that in the lower 
coral banks of the different geological epochs, they lived in the 
great cavities of the coral rocks. Here at least, near Rochelle, my 
father and I have always found them with their roots, the stem 
and top being still either in a vertical position, or lying by the 
side. There is reason to think that they sometimes lived at great 
depths in the bosom of the ocean, either in places where the cur- 
rents were but little felt, or in the cavities of the corals, where the 
waves and currents could not disturb them. There fixed by their 
roots, their stems erect, their graceful heads crowned with their 
many flexible arms, they could spread themselves out, and wait for 
their prey, in a position exactly the reverse of that of the Asteria, 
and other Echinoderms, which always have the mouth beneath, 
instead of above them, like the Crinoides.”’ 

The first recognisable figures of Apiocrinites published, were by 
Luid a Welshman, in 1699 ;. but the French naturalists, Bourguet 


By Mr. Cunnington, F.G.S. 9 


and Guettare, about the middle of the next century gave much 
more complete representations. Walcott, in 1775, in his work en- 
titled “Descriptions of Petrifactions found near Bath,” figures the 
Bradford clay Apiocrinus in the name of Entrochus. In 1811 we 
have a full and interesting description of this fossil, with excellent 
engravings, published by Parkinson, and in compliment to him, it 
is now known by the name of Apiocrinus Parkinsoni. Since his time, 
many other authors have given attention to the Crinoides, more es- 
pecially Miller, who in 1821 published his elaborate work entitled 
‘“‘Natural History of the Crinoidea,” and the late Alcide d’Orbigny 
whose admirable “Histoire Naturelle des Crindides,” is illustrated 
with very beautiful engravings. The late Mr. Channing Pearce 
wrote a description of the Bradford clay and of the Apiocrinus, 
which was read before the Geological Society, May 29th, 1833. 

We are indeed most abundantly supplied with books of reference, 
but allow me to remark, en passant, that to the geologist no know- 
ledge of his science is so valuable as that which is the result of his 
own observation and research. 

In the “Annals and Magazine of Natural History” for 1848, 
Professor M° Coy gave descriptions of a new species, ‘the Apiocri- 
nus exutus:” as however no plates were given, it is difficult to 
identify the species, and knowing to how great an extent these 
fossils were liable to changes of form, I am disposed to think that 
it is a variety only of Apiocrinus Parkinsoni. D’Orbigny figures as 
a distinct species Apiocrinus elegans, and as this is a form which 
occurs frequently in the Great Oolite, and is so much more elon- 
gated than Apiocrinus Parkinsoni, it may probably be retained as 
a species; but a larger series of specimens, and a more extended 
knowledge of these forms, may lead to the conclusion that this too 


’ 


is merely a variety. Some fine examples of the Apiocrinus elegans 
are now exhibited from the collection of Arthur Adye, Esq., of this 
town. The Bourgueticrinus ooliticus,’an animal very nearly allied 
to the Apiocrinus, but differing principally in having oval instead 
of circular plates in the stem, is added to the fauna of the Bradford 
clay by Professor M* Coy who described it in the “ Annals and 
Magazine of Natural History,” 1848. 


10 Bradford Clay and its Fossils. 


Of fossil remains which have been found at Bradford, I have 
63 species. But I would remark that these are the result of a few 
visits only to this locality. Professor Woodward during his re- 
sidence at Cirencester, found no fewer than 107 species near that 
town. The collection formed by Mr. Pearce is also very rich in 
these fossils. I have no doubt that any diligent collector living in 
this neighbourhood could soon obtain an extensive and interesting 
series. 

List or Fosstts rroM THE Braprorp C3ay. 


Wood. Brachiopoda. 
Dicotyledonous Terebratula digona 
Amorphozoa. —_———— cardium 
Spongia —_———— maxillata 
Zoophyta. ————— flabellum (rare) 
Anabacia orbulites ———— coarctata 
Stylina Delabechii ? ————— furcata (rare) 
Comoseris irradians : Rhynchonella spinosa 
—— sp. a — concinna 
Cladophyllia sp. sy — obsoleta 
Thamnastrea scita — varians 
sp. a ———— angulata 
sp. =| Conchifera. 
Isastrea sp. Ostrea Sowerbii 
Crinoidea, costata 
Apiocrinus Parkinsoni sp. (large) 
elegans Exogyra sp. 
Pentacrinus sp. Placunopsis sp. 
sp. Lima duplicata (young) 
Echinoidea, Pecten vagans 
Cidaris Bradfordensis hemicostatus 
Hemicidaris (spines) Aviculata echinata — 
Acrosalenia spinosa ——— costata 
Diadema sp. — sp. 
Pseudodiadema homostigma Mytilus furcatus (Goldf.) 
Articulata, Arca sp. 
Serpula triangulata Four species of Bivalvesundetermined. 
grandis? Gasteropoda. 
Bryozoa. Pleurotomaria sp. 
Terebellaria ramosissima ——? sp. 
————— 5. Pisces, 
Diastopora diluviana Pycnodus sp. 
Six other Bryozoa, not determined P sp. 


Lepidotus sp. 
These fossils were exhibited to the meeting, as well as a fine col- ~ 
lection sent by Arthur Adye, Esq., of Bradford. 


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History of Broughton Gittord. 


By the Rey. Jonn WILKINSON. 
Continued from Vol. v. p. 341. 
THe Harpincs. 


Ty next most considerable proprietor is Edward Talbot 
Za 


Wi) & Day Jones, Esq.,! of Hinton House, Co. Somerset. These 
lands came by the Hardings, whose genealogy I have endeavoured 
to trace through family deeds, Court Rolls, and the Parochial re- 
gisters of Broughton Gifford, and Hinton Charterhouse. Whatever 


the labour, it has been well bestowed, for there was an especial ob- 


ligation to preserve from oblivion the ancestors of that family, to 
which our place and people are indebted for righteous deeds and 
alms, which here at least should always be had in grateful remem- 
brance. A few particulars will be sufficient to illustrate the pedi- 
gree. The earliest mention of the name occurs in an inquisition 
held on Guido Palmes, in which one William Harding appears a 
tenant 1507. The next notice is in the Court rolls of the manor, 
in which one John Hardinge was (1544) tenant to Robert May ; 
he was also in that year one of the jurors, as well as one of the 


1 The Parish is to be congratulated on still having a Talbot among its pro- 
prietors, and one so worthily representing the name. Mr. Jones is a nephew of 
Lord Talbot de Malahide, who is descended from the same original stock as 
John the first Earl of Shrewsbury. Both have probably the same remote ances- 
tor. But the Malahide Talbots went to Ireland in the time of Henry II., and 
the family have continued there ever since. They were summoned by writ to 
the Irish House of Lords as early as Edward II, They include in their quar- 
terings the original Talbot Arms, Bendy of ten pieces. They have at different 
times married into the Shrewsbury branch, and the late Earl of Shrewsbury 
(who died 1852) included an Archbishop of the Malahide branch among the 
effigies in his chapel at Alton Towers, and even said he considered that family 
to have a better title to the Earldom than the Ingestrie line. In this he was 
mistaken. The Ingestrie claim, is, after all, doubtful: but it would be impossi- 
ble to include the Malahide Talbots among the descendants of the first Earl. 
There might have been the same common early progenitor, but there was a 
divergence before the time of the first Earl. 


12 Broughton Gifford. 


affeerers or arbitrators to fix the amount of fines payable at the 
court. He died before 1558, for then his widow Alicia was tenant, 
and ordered “to mend a stile between Barfurlong and Chessel.” 
In 1590 (I see no notice of the name in the interval) John Har- 
dinge was admitted tenant to Henry May, who granted to him, for 
his own life and that of his son Henry, the moiety of a certain 
pasture called Barley Leas on payment of £16 fine. The son Henry 
paid to the lord of the manor half a farthing as chief rent, for cer- 
tain tenements called St. Mary’s hold. From this time the name 
frequently occurs in the Court rolls, as belonging to those who 
were of some consideration in the parish. They stand at the head 
of the list of copyholders and jurymen. Sometimes they got into 
trouble. In 1621 William Hardinge was presented by the over- 
seers of the fields and the hayward, “for that he refused to give us 
an account of his sheepe and of the common that should feed them, 
and with violence withstood us, and yet biforre we drove them to 
the pound Mr. Edward Long provided the forfeiture which is 3s. 4d. 
and it is yet remaining in his hand.” His friend Mr. Edward 
Long was undoubtedly at that time the principal resident, so that 
we may suppose William Hardinge to have been somebody. This 
was not their only quarrel with the court. I find them allied in 
their resistance to lawful authority again in 1629, where they are 
both presented for enclosing ground that “by the custom of the 
manor ought not to be inclosed,”’ Edward Long in “Bradley field,” 
William Hardinge in “Mounton Ley.” Sir John Horton in his 
memoranda, and his son Thomas, mention different members of the 
family as renting under them, from 1630—82. William Harding 
had Parkes, and was succeeded by his grandson John, who also 
held Norrington and Great Breaches. 

Henry Hardinge, William’s brother, rented of Sir John, Light- 
woods and other lands, which continued in the family, till the time 
of “Widdow Hardinge” in 1682. They were diligent in the dis- 
charge of their Parochial duties, collecting the Royal subsidies 
and aids, for his Majesty’s use, on his restoration, and acting as 
churchwardens eighteen times between 1690—1738. A tithe case, 
Harding against Golding, 8th May, 1696, refers to this William 


i 
a 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 18 


Harding. It appears he was farmer of the tithes here, under a 
lease from William Hicks, Rector; and after various answers, re- 
plies, rejoinders, examination of witnesses, hearing of counsel and 
reading of proofs, the defendant was ordered “to account with and 
pay to the plaintiff the value of his tithe fruit, his fallen and other 
apples, the tithe hay of the half acre of land, the cock of hay taken 
away, and 8d. each calf; the tithe lambs which had fallen, the tithe 
wool which he shore,” and various other titheable things. But 
this William had other and more profitable pursuits than picking 
up fallen apples. He was a clothier; and, like many others in this 
neighbourhood at that time, by the cloth trade he rose, bought 
land, and made a family. He is himself always described in deeds 
as a clothier, and probably never aspired to be anything more dur- 
ing a long life; but his grandsons are called gentlemen and be- 
longed to the “country party.” His first purchase was from John 
Long of Monkton in 1650, of various lands part of the Broughton 
estate, for which he paid £440 only, seeing he had previous claims 
on them. His next was from Agatha Curtis, widow of Thomas 
Curtis, also part of the Broughton manor, a license for the aliena- 
tion (1641) still existing. On this property another William, the 
clothier’s grandson, but himself a gentleman, built a great house. 
He added to the family estates by purchasing from William Prior, 
certain lands (the farm in the west of the parish) formerly alienated 
from the Broughton manor by Sir John Horton (1682). He, and 
two elder brothers, John and Thomas, were the sons of John and 
Hannah. The father migrated to Hinton Charterhouse, and there 
his eldest son John, described as of Symon’s Inn, who married 
another Hannah, succeeded him, purchasing and enlarging (1700) 
the house in which his father lived, now called Hinton House, and 
the present seat of the representatives of the family. The three 
brothers seem to have been alike in their tastes, each of them built 
a big house, John at Hinton, Thomas at Holt (I leave the historian 
of that place to identify it), and William at Broughton. Our big 
house is noticeable for its handsome stair-case, embossed ceilings, 
and lofty, though small, rooms. It is now occupied by the tenant 
of the farm. On the death of William in 1788, this, the younger, 


14 Broughton Gifford. 


but the more opulent, branch of the family, ceased to reside at 
Broughton. 

John, the elder brother, had two sons, John and William, both 
childless. On the death of the last named John in 1761, intestate, 
Mary and Catherine Jacob, the two grand-daughters of his uncle 
Thomas of Holt succeeded, as coheiresses. The property ultimately 
centered in Mary, wife of Stephen Skurray of Beckington. Their 
daughter Mary, wife of Samuel Day of Burnett, survived her only 
son, Samuel Skurray Day, and bequeathed her estates in Broughton 
and Hinton to Thomas Jones, Esq., who married the Honble. Mar- 
garet Nugent Talbot of Evercreech, Co. Somerset, sister of Lord 
Talbot de Malahide. Mr. Jones died in 1848, leaving two sons and 
one daughter, Edward Talbot Day, Felix Thomas, and Margaret Ann 
Mary, now living, and residing with their mother at Hinton House. 

I must now go back to Henry Harding, the elder brother of 
William the clothier, and himself a clothier. In 1652 he pur- 
chased of John Long of Monkton (who seems about this time to 
have been in want of money) certain portions of the Broughton 
manor. He married Margaret Gore, a Broughton lady, of many 
namesakes at the present time, coheiress with her sister Mary (the 
wife of William Hicks, gent.) of William Gore. 

I have traced Henry’s descendants down to their present repre- 
sentative, the Rev. Robert Bailey Fisher, Vicar of Basildon, Co. 
Berks. It is noticeable that in both branches of the family male 
issue failed in the same generation. I have no occasion to remark 
on any individuals, except on Henry Harding and his two sisters, 
Mrs, Ann Harding and Mrs. Betty Paradice. The latter, who was 
the survivor of the three, “in compliance with the desire and to 
fulfil the intention of her sister,’’ as the monument to the memory 
of the three in the Church says, “in the year 1782 vested in Go- 
vernment securities £900 stock, which producing an annual interest 
of £27, is to be applied for ever under the direction of three trus- 
tees, appointed for that purpose, as also the Rector and Church- 
wardens for the time being, to the following charities, viz.:—£20 
per annum to a master for the education of 20 poor boys or girls, 
£7 per annum to be distributed at Christmas among such 10 poor 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 15 


persons as have not been entered in the Parish book, or received 
relief of any kind from the Parish for one twelvemonth previous to 
their making such application.” From that time to this, ears that 
never heard the two sisters have blessed them, and eyes that never 
saw them have given witness to them. 


Court LE£ETs. 


We have seen that the lords of our two manors used to hold 
separate courts here, the spiritual lord at Monkton, the temporal 
at Broughton. We have also learnt how the former was lost by 
disuse and paucity of tenants, and so became merged in its larger 
and more active neighbour. Of the Monkton Court there remain, 
as far as I know, no records. The rolls of the Broughton 
court leet and court Baron date from 1544, Robert May and 
Sir John Talbot being the lords. This was the date also of Robert 
May’s purchase from Sir Richard Bruges, and in fact the existing 
records relate solely to that half of the manor which was Catharine 
Gifford’s. Many of the earlier rolls are wanting. There is a lapse 
of six years after 1554. Then another of eight years. But from 
that time to the present, there are no more such serious gaps. 

I will give such extracts from the court rolls as may seem to 
have any local interest, and do not range themselves under any 
other head. 

1558. John Bonham, Esq. wasa freeholder. Was this Leland’s 
host at Haselbury ? Leland says, in his itinerary, that the “ Bone- 
homes afore that tyme [before Haselbury manor house was built 
by Mr. Bonehome’s father] dwellied by Lacock upon Avon.” 
1560. Michael Quintyn, Esq. freeholder. And afterwards there is 
frequent mention of Quintin’s lands. In the pedigree of Long by 
Charles Edward Long, Esq. it is said, that Michael Quinton held 
Monkton under Sir Henry Longe. This I doubt. The Longs 
had no part in Monkton, till a much later date. 

1571. “The tythingman reports that John Aust and Nicholas 
Gregory are common brawlers, and have sold beer in measures not 
sealed (mensuris insigillatis), for which they are fined iv.” Also 
_ that Robert Timyse made an assault on William Peirce with a stick 


16 Broughton Gifford. 


of no value, and drew blood from him, for which he is fined ix‘.” 
1582. “Thomas Golding and Edward Somes played at ball (lus- 
erunt globis) against the form of the statute, fined 6°. 8.” 1583. 
* Pigs are not to range at large, except watched, unless at mast 
[acorn] time.” Mr. Gore is presented for “ putting pigs into the 
fields before the corn was rid” [carried.] 1624. “The custom 
of Broughton Gifford is that when a tenant do die the day after 
Michaelmas day that the Executor is to hold it [the tenement], 
and have the use of his living, untill Michaelmas next following, 
except the Broad meade and the summer fallow.” This present- 
ment is often repeated. 1629. ‘They present that there are no 
Butts (mete, anglicé Butts) to practise archery (ad exercendos 
sagittarios; anglicé artillery)! within the parish of Broughton Gif- 
ford, therefore, the inhabitants must erect proper butts before the 
end of Lent next, under a penalty of 40 shillings.” 1629. ‘“Hd- 
ward Barrett, one of the residents within the jurisdiction of this 
court, put dead and putrid flesh (anglicé carrion) into the church 
brooke to the damage of all the inhabitants, for which he is fined 
6°.” “The way across that part of the meadow called Michell 
meade, which is beyond the brook, ought and is customarily used as 
a bridle road (cum saccis et fasciculis, anglicé with sack and sumpter 
only), and not with wagons.” Notices are frequent of assaults, 
dung heaps (stercoraria), ditches not scoured out, houses out of 
repair, drocks (quidam canales, anglicé thoroughs) wanted, stiles 
(climaces) in various directions to be put up, found in decay (to be 
repaired by the lord), pound breach, trees destroyed, gates to be 
repaired (Awfield gate seems to have given a deal of trouble), 
“driver of the fields” (agrophylactes) appointed, boundaries to be 
set out by arbitration, sawpits unlawfully dug in the street, cattle 
not pastured according to the order of the stint agreed upon, but 
above all, cottages built, and gardens enclosed out of the lord’s 
waste ;—sometimes as many as nine in one presentment. Unhap- 
pily the court, however right in its decisions, had not the power 
of enforcing them. Sometimes the Homage complain, “ we can 
have no reformation, though we have often presented.” At last 


1« And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad,’’ 1, Sam, xx. 40. 


* 

1 
4 
4 


Se ene ee 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 17 


they seem to have retired from the thankless duty of finding fault, 
without finding a remedy ; accordingly the more recent present- 
ments are meagre, while the courts are held at long intervals 
(now every three years), instead of every six months as in the 
olden time. We are suffering under their failure. Our high poor 
rates are owing to those very encroachments against which they 
protested in vain. Had the Homage been properly supported by 
the lords of the manor and by the stewards, the population, squat- 
ting hibernicé on the margin of the common, would have been kept 
down, and the farmers here would not have had to support out of 
their profits those who contribute nothing by their industry to the 
-agricultural employments of the place. They console themselves 
by the reflection—“ delicta majorum immeritus Cte. cee 
by majorum, lords and stewards. 

I should add that, from some old Bradford papers, it appears that 
“the tything of Broughton” (as it is called) paid at Michaelmas 
yearly16*. at the court of the Abbess of Shaston at Bradford. The 
Abbess, being lady of the manor of Bradford, held a court for the 
hundred of Bradford, as well as for the borough of Bradford. And 
Broughton, being in the hundred, made the payment at the hun- 
dred court. 


ParocH1AL REGISTERS. 


These begin 1665, old style, Edmund Proby, who happily wrote 
an excellent hand, being Rector. They have been kept with toler- 
able regularity, excepting the baptisms between 29th November, 
1812, and 25th April, 1813. The entries are in separate columns, 
and appear from the first to have been made singly and contem- 
poraneously with the events recorded. During a vacancy in the 
incumbency the clerk seems to have made the entries, but generally 
the clergyman was the writer, signing his own name and sometimes 
those of the churcliwardens at the foot of each page.? The induc- 


' Earlier Registers going back to the 16th century once existed, but are now 
lost. They were here in 1786, for the then Rector made some extracts from 
them at that date. In 1831 they were gone, as appears from a Parliamentary 
return then made. I have made every inquiry for the missing volume, but as 
yet without success. The loss is serious, and scandalous too. 

*In accordance with a constitution made by the Archbishop and Clergy of 


18 Broughton Gifford. 


tions and readings in of the several Rectors are recorded up to the 
middle of the last century, with the exception of Mr. John Rogers, 
1742, where a leaf has been cut out. Good Doctor Proby seems to 
have been seized with illness 1675, and not to have attended to the 
Register after that time. His name re-appears at the bottom of 
the page for 1680 together with ‘Phillip Carpenter, minister” (cu- 
rate). In the interval the clerk’s hand is observable, but not very 
legible. Charles Michell appears as minister 1682, and continues 
officiating during the remainder of Dr. Proby’s incumbency (he 
was buried January 3rd, 1685), and also during the incumbencies 
of Anthony Beeby and Nathaniel Resbury, till the induction of 
William Hickes 9th September, 1689. 

This last Rector is more full than any other in his comments and 
notices on subjects of interest within his parochial sphere, whether 
strictly ecclesiastical or secular, or even physical. We are most 
thankful to him; he certainly provided for, if he did not anticipate, 
the demands of the parochial historian. He resigned in the spring of 
1733, and it is curious to trace the declining vigour and boldness in 
the formation of his letters during forty-three and a half years. 
When the pen at last dropt from his hand, it was with evident 
difficulty and with much blotting, that for once more, he traced 
largely (as if his sight failed him) his own name and those of the 
churchwardens. In very different style indeed are the decided, 
rather small, and clearly defined letters of ‘‘ William Hickes, Rector, 
and William Harding and Edmund Lewis, Guardians,” in 1690. 
To judge him by his registers and the memoranda there, he was a 
keen, observant man, not unkindly, but tenacious of his own rights 
and of the law, very bitter against dissenters in the way of disci- 
pline, but very zealous too in his endeavours to compel them to come 
in by more spiritual ministrations. He was not without a touch 
of humour, was somewhat of a gossip, and believed in ghosts and 
apparitions. Like most active minded men, he was given to emula- 
tion. Does Dr. Proby tell you that he baptised, three sets of twins, 


Canterbury 1597, that parchment register books should be provided, and trans- 
cripts made in them from the paper books previously in use: the correctness of 
the transcripts and future entries being certified by the Clergy and Churchwar- 
dens at the foot of each page. 


: 


os 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 19 


Charles and Lucy Gerrish, Christopher and Henry Winne, Martha 
and Mary Lester, within less than six weeks, between 26th Dec., 1686 
and 2nd Feb., 1687? Mr. William Hickes, not to mention various 
doubles, rejoices in two triplets, three sons of John and Hannah 
Flower in 1708, and three sons of Abram and Jane Cleve in 1720. 
I regret to add that none of these survived many days. He tells 
you, 1696, of “Susannah an unlawfully begotten daughter of Judith 
Bull, widow.” Mr. Hickes’s meaning is clear, but the widow’s 
selection of the name of ‘‘a daughter of Israel in whom was found no 
dishonesty ” is almost ironical. He is not so perspicuous, when 
speaking of “Ii/egal marriages”’ (of which he gives a list), “to 
pay 6d. more at Christmas.” Are these couples who ought to 
have married before? Some of them are ticked off as having paid, 
but full half seem to have declined payment, which indeed amounted 
to self condemnation. There are lists of the “births of Dissenters’ 
children not baptised into the Church,’ from 1699. “1696. Wil- 
liam Chantry, sen. and Ann Goar, widow, were married. This 
couple made about 160 years. The man 75, the woman about 80.” 
©1702. Frances Twiford or Nash, married to one Walter Nash, 
but never lived together.” 1729. ‘Marriages. John Tomkins of 
the paroish of Holt and Ester Stevens of the paroish of Broghton 
were maryed by licence, May 8th. The man was about 65 years 
old, and was sick 3 or 4 weeks. The woman about 25 years. He 
searce ever saw her till they came to Church to be married, nor 
spoke a word to her above his sign to mary her, but by another 
person, and it was agreed upon but the night before mariage, and 
were maried the next day, and he dyed the next day after mariage. 
So that the woman was a maid, wife, and widow within 24 hours.” 
The further revelations of the plain-spoken Rector concerning Mrs. 
Tomkins, do not admit of publication. But if Mr. Hickes be rich 
in his marriages, he is glorious in his burials. Ue tells you 1701 
that Mary Kedman “was in full health, about 17 years old, and 
dyed suddenly in the churchyard at the burial of another.” 1711. 
“Tsaac Bull was buried, Aug. 13. He was thrown of his hors on 
Lansdown and dyed the next day. His mother he curs’d at his 


_ going out and she wish’d that he might break his leg or ever be- 


c 2 


20 Broughton Gifford. 


fore he came home. He mockt her, calling her snocking 

and other like reproachful words.” Lansdown fair was then and 
is now held Aug. 10th. ‘1715. Elizabeth Aust, widow of Arthur 
Aust. She died suddenly while she talking to her cosen’s Hunt’s 
wife and in his house.” The years 1723, 4, 5, 7, were deadly 
from the small pox, which then raged in the parish. 1727. A 
clinical baptism, followed by death: ‘Isaac Gay (of Anabaptist 
parents) about 24 years old baptised in his bed, being supposed 
near his departure, and dyed 9 days afterwards.” 1727. “Mrs. 
Mary Bilson who came from London and liv’d in Broghton for 
cure of a distemper in the breast above 1 year and a half, her 
husband kept a great number of cows at Totna court by London, 
and was buryd Dec. 16.” 1728. ‘Edmund Lewis, anciently 
of Broghton, was buried at Semington, where he last lived in 
a house of his son’s, Fe. 21. He pined away in a kind of sor- 
rowful despair.” About 1714 seems to have commenced the 
Rector’s exercise of Church discipline. He then tells you, ‘“Ste- 
ven Redman dyed Fe. 5, and was bury’d in his garden;” and in 
1727, “Mary, widow of Steven Redman, was bury’d in her 
orchard.” From this time (1714) there is hardly a page without 
mention of some “ buried without the office,” or “ without Christian 
prayers of the church;’’ and at the end of the book he has a list 
headed, “ Burials of the prophane and unbaptised Dissenters not 
buryd with the office of the dead, and of such as very seldom or 
never come to the Public Worship of God at Church.” Here are 
pilloried among others: “1719 John Geerish one that contemned 
and neglected the Public Worship of God everywhere for six and 
twenty years, a daily drunkard and blasphemous common swearer.” 
“1723 Jane Ellis a company keeper with Wm. Peirce (whose wife 
was living at Bradford), a dissenter and prophane talker.” Others 
are mentioned as ‘“‘ pretended” wives. He now calls them ‘“ Ana- 
baptists,” some ‘dissenters of no sect,” and “ill livers.” What- 
ever the offences of these unhappy condemned, it does not appear 
that, living or dead, they were brought before any other tribunal 
than that set up in the Rector’s parlor, with himself for prosecu- 
tor, judge, and jury. Assuming that substantial justice was done, 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 21 


however irregularly, and that the offenders deserved all they got, 
one can only regret that their surviving relations did not think so» 
and that public opinion did not support the Rector in his rigorous 
measures. These certainly, well intentioned as they were, did not 
meet with that vulgar criterion of wise counsels—success. In 
spite of the Rector’s discipline, perhaps because of it, the people 
became more and more embittered, not only against him {which 
would have been a temporary misfortune), but also against the 
whole race of Rectors and the Church which they personified, a 
calamity yet enduring and likely to endure. Instead of availing 
themselves of ‘the office and the Christian prayers of the Church,” 
as good Mr. Hickes intended, they founded Dissenting chapels 
and enclosed burial grounds of their own. Parsons as well as 
farmers, say, “ Delicta majorum immeritus luis.” 

There are some rather interesting entries in connection with 
Bishop Burnet in 1711. “ Mary Nutt (of 16 years of age) bap- 
tised July 18, and confirmed by the Bishop immediately at the 
Font. His lordship abiding at the Font during the service of bap- 
tism.” ‘Mary, widow of Robert Collet, was baptised Jan. 6,' aged 
50 years.” “The said Mary Collet was confirmed by Bishop 
Burnet July 21, 1711.” “Dr. Gilbert Burnet Lord Bishop of 
Sarum preached in the Church of Broghton Tuesday July 21, 
1711.” This is a pleasing illustration (and there are many such 
elsewhere) of Bishop Burnet’s diligence in visiting every part of 
his Diocese. His custom was to make some market town his head 
quarters, entertaining the clergy there, and making excursions 
from thence to the neighbouring parishes. If he were expected, 
and a congregation waiting to hear his earnest and powerful 
preaching, no roads, no weather, no floods detained him. He risked 
his life in these excursions, as readily as John Wesley. The next 
Bishop who visited us was the late Bishop Denison, when, at the 
re-opening of the Church, in October 1850, he preached a sermon 
which will long be in the memories of those that heard it. The 


‘Old style being used, Mary Collet was confirmed before she was baptised. 
Her want of baptism was doubtless not then known, when discovered it was 


supplied, 


22 Broughton Gifford. 


present Bishop of Salisbury has visited the parish more than once, 
and confirmed here, Feb. 25th 1858. The event has been duly and 
circumstantially chronicled in the Parish Register for the informa- 
tion of posterity. 


Houses. 


There are 165 houses in all, of which 16 are vacant. No new 
houses have been built of late years (except the Rectory), nor are the 
old ones always repaired. They are often allowed to fall down, or are 
pulled down. The inhabited house duty amounts to £3 8s. The 
number of houses chargeable with it (being rated at £20) is 4. 
The number of cottages coming under the operation of the small 
tenements act (rated at, or under £6) is 140, and the whole rate- 
able value of this description of property is £411 9s. 6d. The 
payment on a shilling rate is £10 12s. rated at a reduction of 25 
or 50 per cent. So that the average charge on each cottage is a 
fraction more than ls. 6d. The labouring population are very 
indifferently lodged. The cottages are abundant, but the dwelling 
rooms are few and small (the weavers devote the best lighted and 
largest apartments to their shops), the sleeping accommodation is 
not such as to admit of the decent separation of ages and sexes. 
Wells are infrequent (notwithstanding the excellent water within 
a few feet of the surface), nor are the offices convenient or proper. 
The drainage is defective. This state of things is no more than 
might be expected in a parish, where the landed proprietors, being 
non-resident, want that interest in the people, which would natu- 
rally arise from personal communication. The poor here are not 
neighbours to the rich. In this respect we are no worse off than a 
large proportion of out of the way parishes, but we have disadvan- 
tages of our own. With hardly an exception, the cottages (originally 
for the most part encroachments on the commons) belong either 
to the poor occupiers themselves; or to proprietors, who are hardly 
removed from the labouring class; or to the farms, with which 
they are let. The owners or the managers want either the means 
or the will (generally both) to promote domestic comfort. Though 
there are so many cottages and some vacant, yet rents are not low; 


Pies” 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 28 


three small rooms and 10 or 15 perches of garden ground fetch £4 
a year. The explanation is, that a large proportion of the cottages 
for hire are owned by one person, who also keeps a beer shop and 
general store of such articles as the poor require. He works the 
rent against the shop, and the shop against the rent, so that he is 
able to keep up prices in both commodities. 


PopPuLATION. 

The earliest official enumeration of the population, with houses 
and occupations, was in 1801, and the results for this parish in that 
year, and in every succeeding tenth year up to the present time, 
are as follow :— 


Year. |! Hovses. | PoPULATION. OccupPaTIons OF FAMILIES. 
Inhabited./Uninh. Males. | Females.| Total. {| Families. |} Agricul. Trade or| Other 
Manuf. |Oceup. 
1801 114 a 282 331 613 114 35 77 2 
1811 || 125 4 || 291 365 656 187 62 120 5 
1821 | 139 1}, 3893 383 776 145 43 99 3 


1831 || 149 5 360 375 735 184 58 64 | 62 


1841 || 156 | 9 | 378 | 3638 | 741 hie Neal | Aap alae eg |e” 


1851 || 156 | 11 353 339 692 —_— — — |- 


In the return for 1831, it is evident that the families, engaged 
in trade or manufactures, and in other occupations, are not classi- 
fied on the same principle as in the preceding returns. In 1841 
the birth places were given, and of the 741 then living here, 725 
were born in Wilts and only 16 elsewhere. In 1841, 1851, the 
families and their occupations are given generally in the census 
abstracts, but not in detail for each parish. I estimate our families 
now to be 148, of whom 63 are agricultural, 33 weavers, 52 of 
other or of no occupation. The present population may be given 
at 612. The proportion then of acres to a person is 2°6, of persons 
to a house 3°7. Throughout the county generally these proportions 
are 3°4, 49, respectively. 

The population is steadily decreasing. The cause is decline of 
employment for the hand-loom weavers. We dwell pretty well 


24 Broughton Gifford. 


together. About 320 skirt Broughton common, then the tide 
flows down “ the street’ to the church, and over the brook. The 
two outlying portions are about 50 round Norrington common, and 
about 12 at Challeymead. The houses edging the two commons are 
taken out of them, some with, mostly without leave or license. 
The population is not of a variable character. Whatever our 
exports, our imports are very few. The present generation, with 
many before them, are Broughton born and bred: with very few 
exceptions, the names occurring in the earlier court rolls and paro- 
chial registers are the existing names. This remark applies to the 
labouring class, who have been induced to remain by the possession 
of small cottages and by the operation of the law of settlement, 
rather than to their employers. The chief names now, and in all 
known previous pericds, in this parish, are—Mortimer of whom 
there are now 795, Keen 49, Cantelo 26, Gore 21, Wakely (or Weak- 
ly) 20, Harding 16, Bull 15, Collet 12. Our Mortimers are of “an 
honourable house,” and if they have not the lands, they have the 
name of Ralph Mortimer who came in with the Conqueror and got 
131 English lordships for his trouble. Like Jack Cade they are © 
mostly ‘“clothiers,” and “are able to endure much :” but they do 
not pretend ‘ to dress the commonwealth and turn it, and set a 
new nap upon it,” though they have more right than he to say, 
“ My father was a Mortimer,” and quite as much to claim Planta- 
genets for mothers, and Lacies for wives. They are not ignorant 
of their high place in the Battle Abbey Roll. Speaking in con- 
tempt of the Keens, the “ head of the Mortimer family,” old John,? 
once said to me, “ They came in with the plundering Danes, 
we with the Normans.” Nor is this improbable. If the Mortimers 
be so called from a town in Normandy,’ Keen is from the Anglo 


12 Henry VI. Act 4. se. 2. 

2 Old John used to attend church most regularly, with his white head and 
prayer book, though his relations were all Dissenters. Once he strayed into the 
chapel. The minister looking straight at him exhorted his congregation to pray 
for whited sepulchres, who carried their prayers in their pockets, instead of in 
their hearts. 

31 am aware of the derivation implied by ‘‘ Rogerus de Mortuo mari.” This 
is as old as 1306: but I believe it to be a mere after-thought, like that which 
in grammar derived the English possessive case from the possessive of the 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 25 


Saxon root Kene strong. The derivations of the rest may not be 
uninteresting as a specimen of the origin of English surnames. 
Cantelo is written in the old registers Cantle, and such also is the 
existing pronunciation. Cantle or Cantel is one of our oldest 
words, meaning a corner or piece of anything.!’ Now a portion of 
our common is to this day called the corner. There is the original 
seat of the Cantelos. They are the Cantles of that ilk. Gore 
signifies in old deeds a narrow slip of ground, so that, as a surname, 
this word also comes from the locality. Weakley is from a personal 
quality, just as Long, Longman, Thynne, Little, &c. Harding is 
to be similarly accounted for, ing being simply an affix denoting a 
patronymic. Harding is the son of Hard, as Birmingham is the 
residence of the descendants of Beorm (Beorm-inga-ham). Bull 
requires no more explanation than Walter le bouf, Bartholomew 
le swan, and Peter le cuckoo, which occur in the inguisitions about 
1340. Collett is from the Eastern Saint, Nicholas, who in a 
French form has given names to many families since the Crusades, 
Nicol, Nicolet, Collet, Collette. Thus, in this small parish, we 
exemplify Camden’s comprehensive remark, that ‘“‘ we have bor- 
rowed names from every thing, both good and bad.” 

There have been 122 marriages celebrated in the parish church 
during the 20 years ending Christmas 1857. Of these 76 belong to 
the first ten years, 46 to the second. The 6 and 7 of William IV. 
ce. 85 evidently began to tell on the number of church marriages 
during the latter period. During the first ten years, 12 males 
were under age, and 21 females; or 31:58 and 55-56 per cent. 


masculine personal pronoun, the King’s palace—the King his palace, forgetting 
that the Queen’s palace could not be thus accounted for, and ignorant of the 
good old Saxon inflection. Heralds too have many such after-thoughts. One 
of the most curious is the derivation of Arundel from the swallows (hirondelles) 
in the arms of that family, which, however, unquestionably took its name from 
the town in Sussex. So our Mortimers had their name from a place in Normandy, 
and are so described as early as the Conquest. Camden says there is not a 
single village in Normandy, which has not surnamed some family in England. 
1 No part, ne cantel of a thing.” Chaucer, And the well known passage 

in Shakespeare (1 Henry IV. Act. 3. Se.. 1). 

“See, how this river comes me cranking in, 

And cuts me, from the best of all my land, 

A large half-moon, a monstrous cantle out,”’ 


26 Broughton Gifford. 


respectively. During the latter ‘ten years 5 males were under age, 
and 13 females ; or 21°74 and 56°52 per cent. respectively. Taking 
all the 122 marriages, few are between those whose united ages 
make up 50 years. Thus we add another proof to the conclusion 
derived from general enumerations elsewhere, as to the early age 
of marriage in the agricultural districts. How can it be otherwise ? 
A young man at 20 earns his 9 or 10 shillings a week, and he 
never will earn any more. Why should he not marry at once, and 
make his young woman happy ? If he cannot support his wife and 
family, from sickness or other cause, there is the Parish bound to 
do so for him. Such is the reasoning of our youths, who have 
never studied political economy. As ratepayers, we grumble; as 
moralists, we acquiesce. 

The marriage ceremony is conducted about here in a manner 
which is not pleasing. It is a ceremony and no more. There are 
no pretty bridal customs, no strewing of flowers, no favours, no 
stocking or slipper-throwing, no nosegays. That we retain the 
ring is owing to the requirement of the rubric (they dispense with 
it at the Registrar’s office), and we may thank the milliners for the 
artificial orange blossoms. Nobody comes to church, but the bride 
and bridegroom, walking down the “street,”’ arm in arm, followed by 
one or two couples more, who are “keeping company.” Parents 
never think of gracing the union with their presence. On one 
occasion indeed the bridegroom (but he came from South Wilts) 
did observe an ancient custom. He was married on a Sunday, 
during service, and gave his bride the nuptial kiss in church before 
the whole congregation ; following therein the rubric of the manual 
for the diocese of Sarum, “ Surgant ambo, sponsus et sponsa, et 
accipiat sponsus pacem (the pax) a sacerdote, et ferat sponse [sic], 
osculans eam, et neminem aliam, nec ipse nec ipsa.” 

The same remark applies to games and amusements; we have 
next to none. There were indeed, ten years since, the remains of 
a Michaelmas revel. Bushes were hung out at unlicensed houses, 
and the whole thing had degenerated into a mere drinking bout. 
The excise officers and the police extinguished it. Bull-baiting 
lingered here longer than elsewhere: there is a tradition of it on 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 27 


the common. So there is of cock-fighting: the pit is said to_have 
_ been where the Rector’s cucumber frame now stands. The moral 
odour of the place still hangs about it: the only thing he ever 
missed were 5 cucumbers stolen one Sunday morning. The chief 
_yillage dissipation takes place at the Whit-sun meeting of the 
Benefit club. The neighbouring fair at Bradford Leigh used to be 
much frequented, and was generally accompanied by mischievous 
midnight revelry. This holiday gave a mnemonic date to “ the 
simple annals” of domestic life. I have heard old people reckon 
events, “come next Bradford Leigh fair.” I have known a skim- 
mington. A mob, with tongs, gridirons, saucepans, or anything 
_ they could get, surrounded the house of one who was said to be an 
unfaithful husband, and made most unmelodious music. attern 
_ cakes are carried about for sale on St. Katherine’s day, November 
25th. It seems a pure matter of vulgar merchandise. There are 
no rhymes, no bowl, no jollity, no maidens making merry together 
and looking out for good husbands by help of the patroness of 
spinsters. We do not here realise Goldsmith’s pleasing picture, 
‘‘ When all the village train from labour free, 
Led up their sports beneath the spreading tree.” 

; We have no “merry wakes, May games, and Christmas triumphs,” 

of course no christening customs, but not even a harvest home. 
Weare rather dull. The reason I suppose to be the early and 
continued prevalence here of a stern Puritan feeling, anxious to 
disengage itself from all observances, whether innocent or not, 
rhich could be traced up, as many of these, to Roman Catholic 


Whatever the necessity, still we may be allowed to regret 


‘that many precious rites, 
And customs of our rural ancestry, 
Are gone, or stealing from us.” 


‘The general sanitary report ought to be favourable. On the whole 
, eare healthy. The only exception is the common, and this is of 
man’s making. The common is the highest, and might be as healthy 
pany part of the parish. But, because it is a common, it is nobody’s 
busi ines to improve and drain it. In former times, fevers used to be 
deriodical there, even now any disorder is of a far more virulent cha- 
weter there than elsewhere. During my incumbency a scarlet fever 


28 Broughton Gifford. 


broke out in the parish during the autumn of 1851. In three months 
there were 17 deaths from that cause alone, and of these every 
one occurred on the common. Children were attacked elsewhere, 
but not one died elsewhere. While on the common, one in every 
twenty of the whole population perished. These facts were ear- 
nestly represented in the proper quarter by the medical officer! for 
the district and by myself, but in vain. The victims belonged to 
the lower orders only, children of poor labourers and weavers. 
Some of these suffered severely, 2 and 3 taken out of one family. The 
cause was patent. While the soil elsewhere was firm and healthy, 
the superfluous water being filtered through the gravel or carried 
off by drains; on the common, where the subsoil is clay, it was a 
rotten sponge, which would hardly bear the weight of man or 
beast. 

As specimens of longevity there are in the Burial Register 1852, 
3, five consecutive entries of Broughton people, whose united ages 
amount to 381 years, making an average of 76:2 each. But for 
the circumstance that these entries follow each other, the average 
longevity would not be so remarkable. I may add that these five 
include one 60, and do nof include two deaths which occurred in 
the same year and in which the united ages were 180 years. 

During the last seventeen years (the limit of the Baptist chapel 
entries), there have been buried at church 142, at the Baptist chapel 
144, in all 286; which make 16-8 per annum, or 24 per cent. ona 
population of 700. During the last ten years there have been 
buried at church 94, at the Baptist chapel 86, in all 180; which 
make 18 per annum, or 2°7 per cent. on a population of 650. The 
imported and exported burials would so nearly equal each other, 
that no perceptible difference in the results would arise from taking 
them into the calculation. That this rate of mortality is high will 
appear by comparing it. with a statement lately made by the Re-. 
gistrar General. He says that on an average of ten years (1841— 


! The following is the return made by the medical officer for the Quarter end- 
ing the year. ‘Broughton Common where scarlet fever has prevailed since 17 
October, 1851, and proved fatal to eleven children, is very badly drained and 
is the most unhealthy place in my district.’’ Six more died in the beginning 
of the following year. 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 29 


50) the mortality was at the annual rate per cent. of 1°5 in three 
English districts, 1-6 in fourteen, 1-7 in forty-seven, 1°8 in eighty- 
seven districts. That the disadvantageous contrast is owing to our 
undrained common, there is no reasonable doubt. 


AGRICULTURAL INDUsTRY. 


The general quality of our land is well adapted for agricultural 
purposes. It is strong land, the surface soil being deep, with gra- 
vel or sandy clay for subsoil. There is no brash rock, not even stone 
to mend the roads with, though much in the immediate neighbour- 
hood to the north. Some few acres lying near the clay may burn 
in a dry season, but generally no drought is felt. Our growth is 
not early, as in shallower and drier soils, but strong and steady, 
when it does come. The Monkton pastures used to be of good note 
in Smithfield, from the very feel of the beasts. There are no more 
“ proofey” fatting groundsin Wilts. ‘The graziers told me,” says 
John Aubrey, “that the yellow meadowes are by much the better, 
and those white flowers (ladysmocks, cardamine, ranunculus aquati- 
cus), are produced by a cold hungry water.” All owr meadows are 
yellow with gold cups. 

The number of acres at present arable is about 254, of pasture 
1207. About 72 acres have been broken up since the Tithe Com- 
mutation Act. But the appearance of our pasture, in ridge and 
furrow, the ancient mode of carrying off the surface water, tells the 
tale of the land having been once under the plough. Our fore- 
fathers here were evidently corn farmers, while we are dairymen 
and graziers. Domesday book shows that in Broughton proper 
there were only 20 acres of grass ground ; while in Monkton there 
were four acres of meadow and the pasture was five furlongs long 
and two broad; and this property was increasing in value, while 
Broughton was decreasing. Wherever we get a glimpse at the 
condition of the soil, up to the sixteenth century, we find a steady 
preponderance of arable. There were no means of transport, no 
passable roads, generally no navigable rivers, no canals. Each 
district was necessarily self-supporting, raised its own corn, fed 
its own hogs in the wood, made by women’s labour its own 


30 Broughton Gifford. 


clothing. The home market was the only market. Landlords and 
farmers were content to raise corn, because it paid as well or better 
than anything else. The government was content, because the 
people were employed and fed. The opening of new markets for 
wool, both at home and in Flanders, by the developement given to 
the clothing trade at the commencement of the 16th century, 
brought about a great change in the management of the land. 
Landlords found that, English wool being up, it was much more 
profitable to breed sheep than to grow corn. Accordingly they 
turned their arable into pasture, they enclosed the commons (which 
were generally arable), threw several small farms into one, and 
became large flock-masters. This, like all other industrial changes, 
operated to the peculiar disadvantage of those who were lowest 
down in the particular department of labour affected, and who 
could not turn to other pursuits even had any been offered to 
them. The landlord was founding a house and a fortune, the 
labourer was losing all. The instincts of nature and the claims of 
affection alike impelled him to rise. He joined 1536 the “Pilgri- 
mage of grace,” or 1549 the Devonshire and Norfolk insurrections, 
and, being led by those who had ecclesiastical grievances to redress, 
whatever they thought of the agricultural, well nigh turned back 
the tide of the Reformed religion in this country. The Tudor 
sovereigns, and Parliament at their instance, did all they could to 
help the labourer. Many statutes, prosecutions in the courts, and 
Star Chamber fines,! endeavoured to restrain the proceedings of the 
landlords in turning arable into pasture, and thereby throwing men 
out of work. But self interest was too strong for legislation, 
especially with landlords for legislators and magistrates. Enclos- 
ing and grazing went on, to the great suffering of the people for 
the time. I cannot forbear copying, from Froude’s History, a very 
graphic description of grievances, embodied in a petition to Henry 
VIII., from a discontented district, which might well have been 


1Sir Anthony Cooper was fined by the Star Chamber no less a sum than 
£4000, for converting arable into pasture, in Charles the First’s time. But 
this excessive punishment may have been partly from political motives, partly 
to fill an empty exchequer. 


ey achen BER PETE 


nl pe 


1. 


em 


i 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 31 


our’s. The burden of complaint is, “scarcity of victual by reason 
of great and covetous misusages of the farms.” The petitioners 
say :— 

“‘Gentlemen, merchant adventurers, cloth-makers, goldsmiths, butchers, tan- 
ners, and other artificers and unreasonable coyetous persons, do encroach 
daily many more farms than they can occupy in tilth of corn ; ten, twelve, four- 
teen, sixteen farms in one man’s hands at once, when in time past there hath 
been in every furm of them a good house kept, and in some of them three, four, 
five, or six ploughs kept and daily occupied, to the great comfort and relief of 
your subjects, poor and rich. For when every man was contented with one 
farm, and occupied that well, there was plenty and reasonable price of every 
thing that belonged to man’s sustenance by reason of tillage. Forasmuch as 
every acre of land tilled and ploughed, bore the straw and chaff beside the 
corn, able and sufficient with the help of the shakke in the stubbe to succour 
and feed as many great beastes (as horses, oxen, and kine) as the land would 
keep. And further by reason of the hinderflight of crops and seeds tried out in 
cleansing, winnowing, and sifting the corn, there was brought up at every barn 
door, hens, capons, geese, ducks, swine, and other poultry [sic], to the great 
comfort of your people. And now, by reason of so many farms engrossed in one 
man’s hands, which cannot till them, the ploughs be decayed, and the farm 
houses and other dwelling houses; so that where there was in a town twenty or: 
thirty dwelling houses, they be now decayed, ploughs, and all the people clean 
gone, and the churches down, and no more parishioners in many parishes, but 
a neat herd and a shepherd instead of threescore or fourscore persons.” 


Well might Sir Thomas More say, in his Utopia, that an English 
sheep was a more ravenous animal than a lion or wolf, and devoured 
whole villages. Another turn in the trade is noted by Aubrey: 
but this complaint comes from the landlord class, while the 
labourer is well off. ‘The falling of rentes,’’ he says, “is a con- 
sequence of the decay of the Turkey trade, which is the principal 
cause of the falling of the price of wooll. Another reason which con- 
duces to the falling of the prices of wooll is our women wearing so- 
much silk and India ware as they doe. By these means my farme 
at Chalke is worse by £60 per annum than it was before the civill 
warres. Sir William Petty told me, that when he was a boy, a 
seedsman had £5 a year wages, and a countrey servant maid be- 
tween 30 and 40 shillings. But now wages are deare in the coun- 
trey, from the gentry living in London, and the dayly concourse 
of servants out of the countrey to London.” 

Our commons are Broughton common (the common), Norrington 
common, Challeymead, and Amblecroft. The law for the use of 


32 Broughton Gifford. 


the two former is, that a tenant may put on them in summer what- 
ever stock he can maintain on his own land in winter. But in 
practise they are stocked at any season when the ground will bear 
the tread of cattle. With regard to the two latter, I find the fol- 
lowing entries in the court manor rolls. 1568. ‘They [the 
homage] say that Nicholas Gyrish now tenant of Challeymeade 
has no right to common with any animal at any time between the 
feast of St. Peter ad Vincula [August 1.] and the feast of the 
Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary [February 2.]” The 
meaning is that the tenant of Challeymead is precluded from using 
that land as common during the period when it is commonable to 
the other tenants in Broughton. That period is after stated in the 
court rolls as above, but it is now from the 15th of August to the 
13th of February. From 13th August to October 20th for horses 
and cows, from October 20th to February 13th for sheep. ‘“ They 
say that all the tenants of this village have a right of common in 
the eastern part of Abey [Avon] in Michelmead near Broadmead.” 
This must allude to the meadow now called Amble-croft, which is 
subject to common on the same condition as Challymead. 

Arable commons seem to us agricultural anomalies, but they 
were the customary sort of thing to our ancestors. In old deeds 
and terriers, there is frequent mention made of “ common fields,” 
all of which are now enclosed, and in the court rolls there are such 
presentments, as these :—1629, “that the tenants of this manor do 
not make their furrows, (lacunas suas, anglicé gripings) in the com- 
mon fields of Broughton, as they ought according to the penalty 
imposed by will of the court.” Again, “ every tenant of this manor 
ought and should furrow (lacunare, anglicé gripe) his land in the 
common fields of Broughton Gifford, whether it be sowed or not ; 
it is therefore ordered that every tenant do furrow his land before 
the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist (18th October) next, under a 
penalty of 10s. for each offender.” No doubt, the object was to 
keep the ground dry during the winter, and we see now in our 


pasture very plain “ gripings.’”? 


1 The word is good Anglo Saxon for a small ditch to carry off the water. 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 33 


All these common fields are now enclosed. I have no certain in- 
formation of the when, and the how. But from the change in the de- 
scription of the glebe land in a terrier dated 1783, as compared with 
one about 1700, I suppose the inclosures to have been made in the 
interval. In all the earlier terriers, portions of the glebe land are 
described in acres, and half acres, and landyards (perches), lying 
dispersedly and uninclosed in lots and furlongs,! bounded by the 
lots of other people. But in 1783 the land is put together, as it is 
now. 

In the years 1848, 9, and 50 (a period of agricultural and manu- 
facturing depression), an endeavour was made to enclose the ex- 
isting commons, under 8 and 9 Vic. c. 118, and other amending 
acts. The measure was recommended on the following grounds:— 
1. The rate-payers would benefit. Some 35 additional acres would 
be rateable. The poor rates would be lowered by the rent received 
from the allotment gardens (which the act required to be laid out 
for the poor), and by the greater ability of the poor to maintain 
themselves without parochial relief. 2. The poor would benefit. 
Additional labour would be provided, for the enclosed lands would 
very generally be broken up. Allotment gardens would be laid 
out. These would be managed by “allotment-wardens,” the in- 
cumbent, aud three parishioners (one being churchwarden) elected 
by the rate-payers, under the following regulations: the quantity 
not to exceed a quarter of an acre per family; the rent not to be un- 
der that given for farming land in the neighbourhood, with the 
addition of all rates and taxes; no tenement whatever to be erected; 
and any other regulations which the wardens may make not incon- 
sistent with the act. It would seem that these rules would abun- 
dantly guard against abuse, and that anything like the Irish cottier 
system would be impossible. But if not, the discretionary powers 
of the wardens, prompted by self interest, would provide an instant 
remedy. It would have been well, if the commons had been en- 
closed long ago. There is already an Irish cottier population, 
which is altogether owing to the erection of dwelling houses on 


1A furlong is a section of an open or commonable field prior to an enclosure 
taking place, 


D 


34 Broughton Gifford. 


pieces of land, gained by old encroachments on the common. 3. 
The improvement in the health of the adjoining population. In 
winter Broughton common is hardly passable, even in summer the 
wet rises under your feet. The subsoil is clay. Towards evening, 
a fog settles over the whole. A low fever breaks out occasionally.} 
The drainage, for which there is every facility, would be an effec- 
tual remedy. In all old documents this common is called Brough- 
ton Marsh. 4. The expenses of the enclosure would be small. They 
have been estimated by a most competent surveyor at £250, inclu- 
ding new roads, footpaths, fences, and other works, together with 
legal and valuing charges. These expenses would be met by the 
sale of frontages and odd corners, which would fetch an ‘‘accommo- 
dation” price. 5. The tenants were most favourable. Without 
an exception, all the principal tenants signed an address to their 
landlords in favour of the measure. One of the largest renters 
said, that if he had twenty hands, he would hold them up for the 
enclosure. 6. The landlords were favourable. The requisite form 
of proposal to the Inclosure commissioners was signed by persons 
representing interests far more in value than the act required. 
Probably few measures, involving the rights and feelings of many, 
were ever proposed with a greater amount of agreement. 

The following is the disposition of the arable land in the summer 


of 1858. ACRES. 

Wheat - . - 97 
Barley - - - 20 
Oats - - 18 
Beans - - - 24 
Peas - - - 10 
Turnips - - . 20 
Sweeds - - - 20 
Mangold - . - 25 
Green crops. - - 20 

254 


Of the pasture, about 700 are shut up for hay, leaving 507 for feed. 


1A melancholy proof of the truth of these representations was given by the 
mortality in the autumn of 1851, as I have already shown. 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 35 


During the last ten years agricultural improvement has been 
largely developed in this district. The application of artificial 
manures to arable land has much increased. Now, as a general 
rule, a farmer will drill in superphosphate, or guano, and burnt 
ashes, with his roots. Such practise was formerly quite exceptional. 
In the field, new and improved implements have been introduced : 
no one chooses now to be without Bentall’s broad-share, to work his 
stubbles and clean his land. I have seen the flail displaced by the 
threshing machine with horse power, which in its turn has given 
way to the travelling steam engine. The ear misses the tapping 
on the barn floor, but I do not think the labourer misses the work. 
He used to destroy the machine ; he has come round to think flou- 
rishing a big stick round his head to be rather slow. He finds that 
a saving of labour one way increases production, which provides 
labour another way. 

As to stock we have some very handsome cows, of the most ap- 
proved breeds. There is a pack before my windows which will match 
with any in Wilts. We reckon that a fair cow will give about 
seven quarts of milk a day, one time with another; or 475 gallons 
for (say) 275 daysin the year. Our cheese has a very good name. 
The estimate of produce is 4 cwt. per cow per annum per three 
acres. Or, a pack of 50 cows on 180 acres will produce 10 tons of 
cheese in a year. This does not mean that a cow will consume all 
the grass and hay of three acres, for other things will be main- 
tained; but cows, and in fact all stock, require change, in order to 
do well. 

Our live stock in the summer of 1858 may be thus roughly re- 
turned :— 


Horses - - 32 Graziers - - 40 
Colts - - 10 Wethers - - 100 
Milch Cows - 270 Young Sheep - 300 
Calves - - 50 Ewes and Lambs 200 
Oxen - - 30 Swine - - 250 


Garden allotments were provided for the labouring poor by the 
Rector in 1852. The results of this system are greatly dependent 
on the quantity of land held by each occupier. No family should 

D2 


36 Broughton Gifford. 


have more than a quarter of an acre. The labourer must not be 
tempted to turn small farmer. He will do himself no good by any 
such ambition. He cannot possibly successfully compete with the 
capital, organization, and machinery of the regular farmer. But, 
gens humana ruit per vetitum nefas. He aspires to be his own mas- 
ter, and if you give him the chance, he will try it on, and ruin 
himself in the attempt. Such is the struggle for land that the 
labourer very much exaggerates the good which 40 perches do 
him. If he were to keep an account of the labour expended on his 
ground, and value that labour at the rate which he himself receives 
from the farmer, he would find that his pig, his potatoes, and his 
other produce cost him dear. But then, there is the occupation of 
odd hours, the something for the wife and children to do, the in- 
dependent position, the procuring vegetables which are not to be 
purchased, the interest in working for oneself, the pride in the re- 
sults however painfully attained, the health gained—all this is not 
estimated by the political economist, but it is worth paying for, 
if happiness be a good. So perhaps the labourer is right after all. 

Our home supply of labour is generally sufficient all the year 
round. There is some excess of supply over demand in the winter; 
and, during the pressure of the hay and corn harvests, some turn 
their hands to out-door work, who are not usually so employed. 
Wages are paid in hard cash. There is nothing like the truck 
system, said to exist in some localities, of so much tail corn, wood, 
&c., to make up scanty money payments. 


ManvuracrurinGe INpDusSTRY. 


Our hand-loom weavers, whose numbers are rather more than half 
our agriculturists, work at their own homes, in their weaving “shops,” 
many hours for little money. When in full employment they are 
fourteen hours a day at it, hands, arms, legs, and feet in full play. 
A good weaver can turn out four, five, or six yards per day, for 
which he receives 10d., 8d., or 6d. per yard. But this is not all 
profit. He has to pay perhaps two children, at least one to change 
shuttles for him. Another child “quillies.” Besides, he is subject to 
deductions for all faults. Nor is he thus employed every day. If 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 37 


trade be very brisk, he may reckon on five days of such work each 
week: often he has to be content with three, or none. On the 
whole, it may be questioned whether he is better off than his agri- 
cultural brother, as regards means of living: in respect of strength 
and health, he is certainly in a worse condition. Nor is the pros- 
pect before him re-assuring. That he has so long held his own 
against the steam power-looms of the factory is a marvel to all ob- 
servers, a strong evidence of his skill, endurance, and energy. 
Time was, when the weaver kept his hackney or pony on the 
common, and drove backwards and forwards with his “ goods”’ to 
his master at Trowbridge in style. Now he is compelled to trudge 
a-foot, driving a pair of hand-trucks before him; and is glad 
enough to bring back a “chain” with him, after hanging about 
master’s office all day for it. Within the last few years, the de- 
scription of cloth thus manufactured has entirely changed. It 
used to be all “broad.”’ Now none is so. The power-looms do all 
this. Our cloth is “narrow,” “fancy stuffs” for summer wear, jacket- 
ings, trouserings, and waistcoatings. That the hand-loom weaver 
retains this slender portion of the trade is greatly owing to the 
circumstance, that the master manufacturer doubts as yet, whether 
it be worth his while to lay out his capital in the purchase of looms 
and machinery, specially adapted to this kind of cloth. Were his 
orders greater, and likely to be permanent, he would imitate his 
Yorkshire confrere, enlarge his mill, and do all there. With this 
indifferent present, and worse future before him, why does not the 
weaver turn his hand to something else? Why not become an 
agricultural labourer ? Employment on the land is increasing and 
will increase. This is easier said than done. Transplanting full 
grown trees is an operation attended with very poor success. In- 
_ door and out-door habits, the loom and the plough, the shuttle and 
_ the sickle, the soft hand and the hard hand, cannot be interchanged 
_ at pleasure. The female Spitalfields silk weaver dares not even do 
the household work about her own house: her hand would be 
“furry,” would catch the delicate threads like briars, and the 
“goods” would be spoilt. The nervous system must be cared for, 
_ though of course not so carefully, where wool is the material. Be- 


38 Broughton Gifford. 


sides, no employment requires a longer education or greater natural 
powers of observation, than that of the agricultural labourer. Small 
wits may sneer at him as uncultivated ; but the eye, the hand, and 
the judgment, which can mark out a field into ridges, turning up 
a furrow straight as an arrow from end to end, the intelligence 
which can detect so well something ailing in thestock from the touch 
of the skin, the appearance of the eye or hair, when to an ordinary 
observer there is nothing calculated to excite attention; these things 
demand considerable natural powers, improved and strengthened by 
sharp observation. I have officiated both in town and country, 
and I consider the agricultural labourer a more agreeable conver- 
sationist than his civic brother; his range of observance is larger, 
his employment is less special, his topics have more general interest. 


Parocui1aAL Economy. 


The Parish is in the Bradford Union, and the average number 
of persons in receipt of relief is 52, of whom 48 are out-door, and 
9 in-door paupers. So that 8°7 of the population are receiving re- 
lief. The allowance per week per head of the entirely destitute is 
2s. 6d. The rest are lower, according to their means. I am not 
aware that any degradation is attached to the receipt of parish pay. 
That is an old fashioned idea which has passed away with the 
wearing of pauper badges. We should all get on the parish pay 
book, if we could. The indignity and the allowance would be 
pocketed together. Such is human nature. Happily human na- 
ture provides the remedy also. The same self interest which 
prompts the demand of the recipient, sharpens the investigations 
of the paymaster. Alter either side of the proportion, and you 
give selfishness play on the other side, and do what you can to 
bring ruin on both sides. Before the Poor Law Amendment Act 
our rates were nearly double their present amount. The rate-payer 
was on the road to insolvency. Out of his hard earned profits he 
had to maintain a weaving population who did not care to do, per- 
haps could not do, such out-door labour as he could supply. The 
poor were gradually becoming poorer, as is always the case with 
those who are taught to rely on others. Why should they work? 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 39 


They could have 1s. 6d. per week per head from the justices, for 
the asking, and with a long family that was better than wages. 
“ Broughton would not long have been Broughton, at that rate,” 
a farmer once said to me. We are mending now, though still 
there are things against us. The rate-payers are better able to 
live. The poor acknowledge that they are better off. I know a 
family which used regularly to receive 9s. per week under the old 
system, but have maintained themselves ever since, and feel hap- 
pier, to their own surprise. We are still held back by the cottier 
weaving population on the skirts of the commons, and by two ad- 
joining “close” parishes. There being no cottages in these parishes, 
the labourers there dwell here, and so come on our rates when they 
are in want, though in no way contributing by their industry to 
our wants. 


Means oF CoMMUNICATION. 


We have the remains of an old pack road. It enters our parish 
from the west, by a hedge one mile and a half in length (said to 
be the longest in the large parish of Bradford): it crossed the brook 
close to Mill farm by a bridge, which fell in while a horse was 
crossing about 1812, and the foundations of which are now visible. 
From this point the road diverged, one branch going to the ford 
over the Avon above Monkton, the other passing Holmbrook to 
Shurnell. Both branches are easily traced, particularly the one by 
Monkton. On crossing the river, this last turned to the east, and 
even now exists in all its integrity of deep holes and sharp turnings 
round the corners of fields, with the greatest possible respect for 
private boundaries and rights, with none whatever for the public 
convenience. Such crooked paths as these are signs of peaceful 
times. The straight Roman roads are memorials of a conquest, and 
of forced labour; ve victis was all the answer given by the Roman 
engineers to the remonstrances of the British proprietor. They 
were made as much by the sword, as by the spade. 

In the year 1762 an act was passed “for repairing, widening, 
turning, and shortening the road leading from Forrard’s common, 
in the parish of Bradford, through Holt and Melksham to Homan’s 


40 Broughton Gifford. 


stile in the parish of Lacock; and for completing a communication 
between the said road and the Bath turnpike road on Kingsdown 
hill.” Hence arose a great change in our means of communication. 
The road which now runs along the south of the parish, between 
Holt and Melksham, was then cut; so also was the road across the 
common. The then existing roads were improved. For the new 
road a portion of the glebe was. taken, which Mr. Robert Addams 
Hickes, the then rector, thus commemorates in a terrier dated 1783. 
“N.B. About 20 years ago on making a Turnpike road from Melk- 
sham to Holt, Bradford, &c., rather more than an acre and a half 
was taken from the glebe through part of which the road passes. 
The turnpike commissioners valued this ground at £50, gave a 
bond for this money to Mr. Hickes the incumbent, and agreed to 
pay the interest of this sum, viz. 50s. per annum, to Mr. Hickes 
and his successors for ever.” The commissioners were too much 
for good easy Mr. Hickes and his successors. The whole transac- 
tion was illegal. They had no power to give a bond instead of 
money. Their paper was not the ‘Government securities” re- 
quired in the act. And so loss has come on the “successors.” The 
‘50s. per annum for ever” is now 20s. Had the £50 been inves- 
ted as directed by the act, it would have realised about £3 per 
annum; were the land available to let, it would be worth about 
£4 10s. The commissioners ‘for ever” was terminated a few years 
since by the Home Secretary. The trust was insolvent. The re- 
pairs of the roads were thrown on the parish, but the toll-gates 
remain to pay the bondholders. So that the unhappy rate-payers 
are doubly taxed: they pay tolls for the use of the roads, which 
they also repair. Lord Palmerston, as Home Secretary, interfered, 
by a provisional order, reducing the rate of interest from 5 to 2 
per cent., and winding up the whole concern within 20 years. The 
grievance, arising from the intermixture of trusts and their 
insolvency in this neighbourhood, is probably not surpassed else- 
where. 

Our roads, turnpike gud tolls, parochial gud repairs, are six 
niles in extent. They cost us £120 a year. Of this the carriage 
is about £50, the material £20, the labour £50. The Wilts, 


By the Rev. J. Wiikinson. 41 


Somerset and Weymouth Railway runs through the south of the 
parish for a distance of rather more than two miles. The Devizes 
line (rather less than half a mile in the parish) effects a junction 
at the western extremity. 

Among the means of communication, causeways and bridges 
__ ought to be included. We have (I ought to say, we had) a “cau- 
sey,” “the street” we call it, between the common and the church. 
It was an object of solicitude to our ancestors. The representations 
of the homage are frequent in the court rolls. This is one of them. 
“1629. The causeway (via strata, vocata the causey) between the 
marsh and Broughton Gifford church is greatly out of repair, and 
ought to be repaired by the inhabitants of Broughton before Mi- 
chaelmas under a penalty of 40s.” The ‘via strata” no longer 
deserves the name. An enterprising surveyor, some thirty years 
since, signalised his year of office by employing the labouring poor, 
during a slack time, in taking up some lengths of the paving stones 
and breaking them to pieces; consequently we have to walk in the 
dirt. Portions remain, the energies of the surveyor having happily 
been turned in another direction. 

Of bridges, we have two, Church bridge over the brook, and 
Monkton bridge over the river. Of the former (under the name 
_ of Parsonage bridge), I observe these entries in the court rolls. 
_ “1568. It belongs to the whole village (tote [sic] ville) of 
Broughton to repair the bridge called Parsonage bridge before the 
feast of St. John the Baptist next, under a penalty of £10.” The 
_ same presentment is made, with the substitution of “all the tenants” 
for the “ whole village,” 1582, 4. In 1624 there is this entry. 
“Parsonage bridge being new built is not thoroughly finished, 
and is to be amended by the parish.” The largeness of the penalty 
shows the importance attached to this bridge, which in fact is the 
only direct outlet to the west. 

Our other stone bridge, Monkton, was the subject of much in- 
quiry a few years since. The bridge was “ valde in decasu,” as the 
court rolls would say, the crown of one arch having fallen in, and 
the parapet on one whole side being down; the question arose, who 
__ was to pay for the repairs? The occupiers of the adjoining lands 


42 Broughton Gifford. 


on either side did not care for the preservation of the bridge, they 
did not want horse ways and foot paths across their grounds. There 
were others who thought the destruction of the bridge would be a 
subject of much regret; it was a handsome structure, with four 
arches, in a most convenient position for the public, being the only 
means of crossing the river between Melksham and Staverton, and 
equidistant from either, being also the direct line of communica- 
tion between Broughton Gifford, Atworth, Chalfield, Whitley, and 
Monkton Farleigh on the north, with Whaddon, Hilperton, Sem- 
ington, Seend, Bulkington, Keevil, and Steeple Ashton on the 
south of the river. They determined therefore, in order to fix the 
liability of repairing on some one, to bring the question before the 
Quarter Sessions. The law was clear that the highway must not 
be lost to the public, and that the county must repair, except there 
were legal proofs of the liability of others. The court very pro- 
perly resolved to make every inquiry on this head, before throwing 
the burden of the repairs on the county. Investigations elicited 
that Monkton bridge was built in 1725. The owner of Monkton 
has a map of the estate, and at a line denoting the bridge is this 
note:—“A foot bridge built with stone, Anno 1725, in the place 
where a tree laid across had before afforded a passage to foot tra- 
vellers across the river.’’ The tree must have been a noble stick, for 
the river is there twenty-six yards wide. In 1737 an order was made 
on the hundreds of Bradford and Melksham, not exceeding £25 
each, for the repairs. At this time the justices in Quarter Sessions 
were empowered under the Statutes 22nd Henry VIII. and Ist Ann 
to make assessments on every parish or place within their jurisdic- 
tion towards the maintenance of bridges. And this separate rating 
continued until 12th George II., when the several rates were con- 
solidated and a general county rate substituted. Hence a common 
saying about here, when any mischief was done to the bridge, 
“There’s something for the two hundreds to pay.” It was dis- 
covered also that the bridge had been repaired by the late Mr. 
Thomas Bruges of Melksham, a magistrate, in 1811 and 1819, but 
nobody knew at whose expense. The upshot of the whole matter — 
was, that the county, being unable to fix any legal liability else- 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 43 


_ where, undertook the repairs, and executed them most substantially 
in 1856. 


EccLEsIASTICAL AND Reticious History. 


“Gundrada,! with her kinswoman Albreda de Bosco Roald, gave 
the chapel of Broctune with its lands and tithes to the Abbey of 
_ Shaftesbury.” Whether any remains of this chapel exist, it is hard 
to say; but certainly portions of the existing structure are of the 
beginning of the 13th century. An early English church of much 
plainness appears to have been built here, without tower or porch. 
_ About the middle of the 15th century it was extensively remodelled. 
But the changes which the building has undergone will best appear 
_ from the following sketch, for which I am indebted to Mr. Edward 
_ Kite. 

“GrounD Pran.—Chancel, Nave, Western Tower, Chantry Chapel 
on the south side with a connected Porch, (forming together a South 
_ Aisle), and North Aisle. 


1 From the manner in which this lady’s name is mentioned, it would seem 
that she is a historical personage, and ought to be known. I suppose her to 
have been either the wife, or the daughter of William the Conqueror. Matilda 
and Gundrada are the Dano-Norman and Flemish names of the same individual : 
indeed the component parts of either name are synonymous with those of the 
other, though in inverse order. Gundrada, the Conqueror’s daughter, was the 
wife of William de Warrene, the founder of Lewes Priory, to which our neigh- 
bouring Priory of Monkton Farleigh was subordinate. She died in child-birth 
at Castle Acre in Norfolk, 27th May, 1085, and was interred in the Chapter 
House of Lewes Priory. Her tomb was found in Isfield Church in Sussex, co- 
_ yering the remains of Edward Shirley, Cofferer to Henry VIII., who is supposed 
_ to have appropriated it on the dissolution of the Monasteries. The ornaments 
were Norman, and the inscription, though mutilated, showed the names of Gun- 
drada and St. Pancras, the patron saint of the Priory. Ellis’s introduction to 
Domesday, and Mr. Blaauw’s papers in Archeol. xxxi. 

* Hutchins’ Dorset in Shaston Monastery. King John by charter confirmed 
to the Church of St. Mary and St. Edward at Shaston in free demesne all those 
lands which Emma the Abbess proved (dirationavit) to belong to her, in the 
presence of King Henry his grandfather and his barons at Kaling. Among the 
_ rest—‘‘ The chapel of Broctone with its lands and tithes, given by Gundrada 
ith her kinswoman Albreda de Bosco Roaldw.” All these were proved by 
‘Abbess Emma. ‘‘Given by the hand of Henry de Welle, Archdeacon of Wells 
at Norh. . . 23 May a,x. 7, 1205.” 


44 Broughton Gifford. 


Length. Width. 
Measurements— Chancel 23 ft. 2 in. 14 ft. 
Nave 44 ft. 6in. 14 ft. 
Tower 12 ft. V1 ff. 
Porch 10 ft. 10 in. 9 ft. 3-1: 
Chantry Chapel 20 ft. 6 in. 10 ft. 8 in. 
North Aisle 41 ft. 8in. 11 fe" in 


“CHANCEL.—The east window, of three lights, is of a late cha- 
racter, in the south wall a Priest’s door with trefoil-head; on the 
east side of this a square headed two light window of Decorated 
date, the tracery forming an inverted trefoil; a stone seat formed 
in the recess of the window, which may have served as sedilia; 
close to this eastward is a trefoil-headed piscina. On the west side 
of the Priest’s door is a narrow light, also trefoil-headed. The 
Chancel Arch, which is of two chamfered orders, springs from 
semi-octagonal shafts. In the north wall a late window of two 
lights. Ceiling plastered over, but the roof externally of good 
pitch. 

“‘Nave.—This is divided from the North Aisle by a series of five 
pointed arches, of the Early English style, springing from three 
massive circular piers and two responds. The arches are of two 
chamfered orders with hoodmoulds. Roof of plaster. 

“Towrr.'—The Tower is of three stages, and terminates with a 
row of continuous battlements. On the north side is a square turret, 
also embattled, and rising to the height of the tower. The buttresses 
are of three sets-off and terminate at the stringcourse, between the 
middle and upper stages; the turret also decreases in size, with 
a set-off, at this point. Two boldly carved gurgoyles look out 
from the wall, at the base line of the parapet, on each side of the 
tower. In the west wall is a square headed doorway, with a three 
light window immediately above it. The upper stage exhibits four 
windows of two lights with a transom a little below the centre. 


1Qn the south side of the tower are two dials; one, muck the older, has Ro- 
man characters and no index: the other, below, has Arabic numbers, a gilt sun, 
and the mottos, ‘‘ Umbra videt umbram,” ‘‘ Vive hodie,” not indicating a very 
religious spirit, but happily in a tongue unknown to the vulgar. 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 45 


The arch connecting tower and nave is without shaft or capital; 
the moulding is of two chamfered orders, the inner of which dies 
into the wall at the impost. 

“Nort Aiste.—This is lighted by three windows, two of which 
are of three lights and in the north wall, the other is of two lights 
with a square head, and at the east end. One of the former con- 
tains some remnants of stained glass in the tracery. A crowned 
figure occupying one of the central compartments is evidently in- 
tended to represent the Virgin; she is seated and wears a cope, the 
hands are crossed on the breast, the hair dishevelled, and the head 
surrounded by a circular nimbus; the cope is lined with ermine 
and reaches to the feet, the edges are ornamented with embroidery, 
and the morse or clasp, by which it is fastened at the neck, is clearly 
visible. Two figures on each side of this, in smaller compartments, 
apparently represent angels, but the instrument or symbol, which 
they bear in their hands, has not been identified. Many traces of 
crowns may also be seen on separate quarries, also the head of a 
 erozier, which belonged to a figure of considerable size. The roof 
_of this aisle is of plaster,! and nearly semicircular ; it is divided by 
moulded ribs into fourteen compartments, at the intersection of the 
ribs are bosses. In the centre of the north wall is a low doorway, 
now blocked up. Roof gabled. 

“Onantry Cuave..2—This is divided from the Nave by two arches 
of similar character to the Chancel arch. Beneath the east win- 
dow, which is of three lights, square headed, was formerly an altar, 
the piscina attached to which still remains perfect. In the south 

wall a three light window, and to the west of this a narrow trefoil- 
headed lancet. The roof is gabled. 

_ “Soura Porcu.—This is merely a continuation of the Chantry 
‘Chapel westward; the roof of the chapel appears to have been 
originally flat with a parapet, but on the erection of the Porch 
both were gabled, in order to correspond as nearly as possible with 
the North Aisle. From the existence of a staircase in the west 


1 «The church was ceiled 1720.”—Mr. Hickes. 

_ *In Mr. Hickes’ memoranda, this is called Horton’s Ile, because (I take it) 
the Hortons sat there, it being the aristocratic portion of the church: though it 
may have been built by a former lord. 


° 


46 Broughton Gifford. 


wall, it may perhaps be inferred that a Parvise, or Priest’s chamber, 
once existed over the Porch, but no trace of a window by which it 
was lighted is now to be seen. In the east wall are several small 
oblong apertures (now blocked up) by means of which a view of 
the Chantry altar was obtained from the interior of the Porch. 
Two large stones built into the wall over the outer doorway are 
carved in low relief, and represent, each an angel bearing a blank 
shield, and placed in a cinquefoil-headed niche with crockets and 
a curiously formed finial; from the points of two pinnacles which 
terminate the shafts of the first canopy, springs a second cinque- 
foiled arch enclosing the finial of the first and forming a sort of 
double canopy. (Query, if, on the shafts of one of these, are some 
shears represented, which would connect a clothier with any altera- 
tions made in the church at an early date.) On either side of the 
Porch is a stone seat. 

“The earlier portions of the building appear to have been the 
Chancel Nave, North Aisle, and Chantry Chapel. The Chancel 
retains several features of “ Early English” date; the arcade divid- 
ing the Nave from the North Aisle, also of ‘‘ Karly English” date, 
proves the existence of a North Aisle at an early period. The Tower 
and Porch appear to have been both erected at the same date: the for- 
mer is a good specimen of plain Perpendicular work. It may be re- 
ferred to about the middle of the 15th century. At the same date, 
perhaps, the Chancel arch was re-built, also the arches connecting the 
Nave and Chantry Chapel, and the greater portion, if not the whole 
of the Church, fresh roofed. Possibly some of the walls may also 
have been repaired, or re-built, and windows of Perpendicular 
character inserted to correspond with the newly built portions.” 

It may be added to Mr. Kite’s account, that the present Porch 
might have been originally the basement floor of a belfry, and that 


the steps (which are now a puzzle) led to some upper apartment in _ 


it; that long afterwards, when the Tower was built, the belfry was 
turned into a South Porch, the large entrance made, the floor of 
the upper apartment removed, but the steps from the basement 
allowed to remain; and at the same time the west end of the belfry 
and the east end of the South Aisle were cased over with ashlar. 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 47 


It may also be remarked that the ovolo mouldings of the circular 
pillars are not alike, two together. The hood moulding which 
supported the roof loft on the north is very clear. The steps which 
led to it on the south were brought to view, when the Church was 
restored. This was in 1850, under the superintendance of Mr. T. 
H. Wyatt, Diocesan architect, and at a cost of £321, which was 
provided, without any rate, by grants from the Incorporated and 
Diocesan Church Building Societies, and by private subscriptions. 
It was high time. The area was divided into thirteen enclosures,! 
corresponding to the principal] farms, of different sizes, but all so 
high, that the clergyman at the communion table could not see his 


j 
4 
4 
hi 
: 


$ 
t 
. 


— 


congregation, nor they him. The accommodation for the poor 


was confined to a singing gallery,? which completely filled up the 
western arch and window, and to some few seats under it. Another 
gallery closed another window in the North Aisle. The Church 
_ being then made rather dark, five attic windows (one for the 
_ preacher’s special benefit over the pulpit) were inserted in the roof, 
_ which they extensively weakened. The damp and decay were 
such, that fungi were growing on the altar steps. The paths were 
uneven and unsafe: here a hard stone had resisted the tread, here 
a soft one was hollowed. Some walls were split. The heavy sound- 
_ ing board was like to tear itself by its own weight from its hold- 
_ ings, and overwhelm the unhappy preacher in his pulpit. The 
__ bases of the large circular pillars were cut away to fit in the pews, 
_ the foundations (originally shallow) were undermined by vaults 
(the fee for burying in church was only 18s. 4d. a century since). 


_ 'Mr, Weekes built a new seat of deal. December 1726.” (Mr. Hickes’ 
Memoranda.) This may have been the beginning of the lofty pew system, 
_ which in 1850 was defended here on the authority of Scripture: ‘*when thou 
_ prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door.” 
#1708. This year the gallery was erected and built. Towards the same 
Thomas Horton gave four pounds one shilling and sixpence. William Hickes, 
Rector, gave ten shillings. The whole cost was twelve pounds.” { (Mr. Hickes’ 
_Mmemoranda). The neglect of the labouring poor was based on an intelligible 
| Principle. One of the chief tenants said to the Rector, 1850, that the church 
was for the use of the rate-payers, and that, if it were held that money was to 
be spent for the advantage of those who did not contribute it, he would be an 
anti-church rate man, 


ay 


48 Broughton Gifford. 


The whole interior was burrowed. Some of the vaults were filled 
with water. That the roof stood was a mercy: it certainly would 
have gone, but that the pillars on the south, which are much out 
of the perpendicular, incline inwards. Had the pressure been the 
other way, the roof must have been split asunder. We have now 
set all right, except the roof. That we leave to the next genera- 
tion. The plans for it are in the parish chest, and I hope my suc- 
cessor will carry them into execution.! 

We have a brass, of which an engraving is annexed. The lines 
are quaint, but touching. The age of Robert Long is stated as 46, 
but this must be an error. Some Long papers in the British Mu- 
seum (Add. MSS. 15,561) contain most careful statements of the 
births of all the eleven children of Henry Long and Mary May. 
Robert, the sixth child, was born 10th Nov. 1574, and was conse- 
quently 48 at his death on 13th Nov. 1622. 

Of bells we had one of renown; everybody said there was not 
such another between this and Hungerford, where was its fellow. 
There is a constant tradition that this bell was given to the parish of 
Broughton Gifford by the parish of Melksham, on consideration of 
a right of holding a fair here on our common being transferred to 
Melksham, and that there was a large admixture of silver (some 
said gold) in its composition. However this may be, its charms, 
provoking temptation, proved, as with other beauties, its own ruin 
and that of others. On the marriage of the late clerk’s son, some 
of his young bachelor friends, fresh with beer from the marriage 
feast, locked themselves up in the belfry, determined to try the 
tones of the bell to the uttermost, and for this purpose, not conten- 
ted with the bell rope, they struck the bell itself with a sledge 
hammer. It rang magnificently its own knell. Split and frac- 


1 Mr. Hickes was the Church restorer of the last century. He enumerates, the 
‘Reading desk altered 1725, the iles of the Church new laid 1726, the gallery 
built 1708, Church ceiled 1720, Church walls adorned with Scripture sentences, 
the ten commandments, Lord’s Prayer, and Apostols’ creed or belief, and King’s 
arms Done 1724.’’ 

2<¢Qhurch Goods. 1553. Certificates of Anthony Hungerford, William 
Charington [Sherington] and William Wroughton, Knights.” (Augmentation — 
office, Carlton Ride.) * * * * * ‘“Brovauron. Delivered to Michel 
Quinton and to Thos. Redman by indenture iij belles.” The sign of our village 
ale-house has been (time out of mind) ‘‘ The Bell.” 


ROBERT LONGE SECOND SONE. OF HEN: LoNGE OF WHAD 
DON IN_THE COVNTY OF WILTS ESQ: MARRIED MILLES/ 
DAVGHT' oF THO: WITSEY PREACHER OF GODS WORD: at 
WHOM HE HAD Il. SONES: RoBERT, FDwarD, Henry, Post 
/) \wvmvs. HE DIED AN° DNI. MDCXX. NOVEBER XIII. ASTA:SVA abe 
YI |XLV1.IN PIOVSE MEMORY OF WHOM:,HIS MORNFVLL WIFE E Rn 
Ty RECTED THIS MORE, LOVING ,THEN COSTLY REPRESENTATION. NS 


| The Life of Mann ii ws atrewe Lottarie 

Where venterouse Death draws s forth lotts short & Longe. |\\ \| 

ph eee rom fraude,and a yet" gue dade 

He& shitld Sherlds of seuerall siXe amon ; 
Drewe Longe: and soe drewe longer ; Aone dates 
te uncut peer dey daves soands all time to be 


fount ENN Da CO MO MMM 
aoe , del, et anastat. 


Brass oF ROBERT LONGE, A.D. 1620; 
/N BROUGHTON GIFFORD CHURCH. 


a iit 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 49 


tured, it was sold and re-cast. Whilst being broken up a quarter 
of a ewt. of it was stolen. The thief was convicted, and died soon 
afterwards. In Lombardic characters on its circumference was the 
inscription, “ Ave Maria gracia plena Dominus tecum.” <A cast of 
this was taken, and deposited in the Museum of the Oxford Arch- 
zological Society. There was a smaller bell, also cracked, as ru- 
mour says, at another and more aristocratic wedding, that of the 
lord of the manor with Jane Lewis in 1732. It had this inscription, 
“William Harding, Nicholas Gore, Churchwardens 1665. WaP& 
RP.” Our two present bells were cast by Llewellyn of Bristol, 1850. 

In the parochial register there is a “Memorandum. That the 


Communion Plate of silver was given to the Parish of Broghton’ 


by Mr. John Horton, gentleman, of the said Parish, June the 
eleventh, Ano. Dni. nri. Jes. Xtri. 1731.” This refers solely to the 
paten, which has the date 1731, and a shield bearing a single 
buck’s head, the proper coat of the Derbyshire Hortons. The cup 
is older, having the date 1546 scratched on its cover. 

Of our church-yard there is nothing to say, but that it hada 
hatch once as Mr. Hickes takes care to record, adding, “1698 Me- 
morandum. This year was the wall on the west and north of the 
Church-yard built by Tho. Big and Will. Sertane, Churchwardens. 
But Sertaine, being tenant to the next ground, out of covetousness 
took in above two foot of the Church-yard, for the outmost bounds 


_ of it were in the midel of the ditch, where it was bounded with 


posts and rails which stood in or about the midel of the ditch that 
remains still.” Let all removers of ancient landmarks beware. 
Their misdeeds may be imperishably recorded against them, while 
they fancy that the memory thereof has perished. 

Under the head of Church Temporalities, I should mention that 
Henry Longe of Wraxhall (thrice Sheriff of Wilts) gave, by his will, 
dated 1st May, 1490, (among similar bequests to every church in the 
neighbourhood), to the church of Broughton 138s. 4d. for vestments. 

I also give this extract from Nonarwm Inquisitiones. ‘ Parish of 
Broughton Church. The Presentation of Robert le Couk, Walter 
de Gore, Robert Martyn, and Roger le Yong, parishioners of the 
church aforesaid: who present on their oath that the said church 


50 Broughton Gifford. 


is taxed at £10, and that the ninth part of grain, wool, and lambs 
is worth this year, in the parish aforesaid, £8 and not more; that 
the rector of the church aforesaid hath by gift to his church 40 
acres, which are worth per annum 13s. 4d., the tithe of hay and 
other small tithe, (which) are worth per annum 26s. 8d. There is 
no chapel situate within the said parish: nor are there any other 
temporalities than those declared above ; nor is there any one living 
within the said parish who gets his living otherwise than by agri- 
culture and store of sheep: and therefore cannot be taxed for a 
fifteenth. This Presentation was made at Marleberg before Robert 
Selyman and his fellows, assessors and setters of the ninth aforesaid, 
38 April, 15 Edward III. 1341. In witness whereof the parties 
hereto have severally affixed their seals to this Indenture. Dated 
on the day, at the place, and in the year aforesaid.” 

The explanation to be given of the assessment is this. The feu- 
dal military system, however available for home defence, was not 
adapted to the prosecution of those foreign wars in which Edward 
III. engaged. These demanded money, money was procurable 
only by taxation, taxation was imposable only (as all the Edwards 
found) by the authority of Parliament and Convocation, for civil 
and ecclesiastical property respectively. From the date of the 
Statute de tallagio non concedendo, 1297, which had been extorted 
from the necessities of the first Edward by the firmness of Arch- 
bishop Winchelsea and the Earls of Hereford and Norfolk, it had 
been unlawful (though the thing had been occasionally done) to 
raise supplies, either by aid or by tallage, on the sole authority of 
the King. The Parliament was the more liberal in granting legal 
aids, through jealousy of royal tallages. The amount assessed 
was a fractional part of the value of moveable property, and was 
ealled a subsidy. In 14 Edward III. Parliament granted a ninth 
and a fifteenth. In the same year the clergy granted a tenth for 
two years. But, notwithstanding this liberality, they were ass- 
essed to the ninth. Archbishop Stratford remonstrated, and redress 
was given. A commission was issued to the Royal Commissioners, 
instructing them to ascertain, on the oaths of some of the principal 
inhabitants, the value of the ninth of such moveable goods as corn, 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 51 


wool, and lambs; if this ninth should exceed the amount of the 
assessment made, 1291, in Pope Nicholas’ ca/or (called in this in- 
quisition “the tax”), the larger sum was to be collected; if, on 
the contrary, the ninth should be less than the valor, then the 
lower sum should be collected, and an account given of the defici- 
ency. Thus the parishioners here say, that the assessment in the 
valor was £10; but that their return is £8 only, the difference 
(forty shillings) being owing to the exemption, from such taxation, 
of the glebe worth 13s. 4d., and the tithes worth 26s. 8d. The 
fifteenth appears to have applied only to towns and cities, and 
therefore was not to be assessed here. 

The valuation of Pope Nicholas continued in force, till, the first 
fruits and tenths being transferred to the Crown, a new survey was 
made by commissions issued by the King under an act of Parlia- 
ment, 26 Henry VIII. c. 3. This, which is still in force for pay- 
ment of first fruits and tenths, is called Liber regis, or valor ecciesi- 
asticus. The return of this parish is as follows: “Rectory of 
Broughton Gifford, with the fraternity there. Henry Yong, 
Rector. £ 8. d. 

Value per annum oe aE 20 8 90 
Deductions. Bic 
Annual pension to the 
Abbot of Malmesbury .. 6 8 


Procurations to the 18 33 
Archdeacon fih! pote Re 
Balance ne 19 14 82 
Tenth thereof. . 39 52” 


My next extract! is from the report of the Commissioners ap- 
pointed to survey Chantry property in the Diocese of Sarum in 


* One copy of the report of the Chantry Commissioners (from which this 
extract is taken) is in the Cathedral muniment room at Salisbury. Rechyn is 
the sume as Reches, like housen for houses, the regular Anglo-Saxon plural 
termination. The Reches were the Roches of Bromham, of which family Sir 
John Roches Kt. died seized of lands and tenements here in 1401, and his niece 
Edith Roches married Harry Tropenel]l of Great Chalfield. 


BQ 


52 Broughton Gifford. 


the second year of Edward VI. “Parish of Broughton. William 
Rechyn gave one messuage in Broughton with a close adjoining to 
the same, 4 acres of arable land in the Common-field, half acre of 
Meddowe in Broad-mede, for and to the maintenance of the yerelie 
anniversary within the saide Churche; all which premises be in the 
tenure of one Johan Diddell widdowe, and payeth, over and besides 
the yerelie goinge oute, to the chefe lorde of Broughton 10s. 6d.” 

There are five terriers in the Diocesan Registry relating to the 
glebe house and lands, all written by the rectors, and signed by 
them and the churchwardens for the time being. Three of them 
are dated 1671, 1677, 1783. Two are without any date, but from 
internal evidence they may be assigned to 1600 and 1700. In the 
first, signed by “Johannes Bold, Rector, and Mychaell Cuffe, 
Nicholas Gore, Churchmen,” the “som total is 36 acres arrable, 8 
of Pasture, and 2 acres of Meadowe.” In the next, 1671, it is re- 
duced to ‘37 acres and 3 yards by estimation, 37 acres and 1 yard 
by measure, and the annual value £30.” Very high for that time, 
when the tithe of the whole parish was only £60. In 1677 the 
quantity is still further reduced to 36 acres and 3 yards. The same 
in 1700. In 1780 the “glebe lands were measured, and a plan 
taken of them by order and at the expense of the Rev. Mr. Hickes 
the present incumbent.” This account is curious, as shewing that 
the lands, which in all preceding terriers are described as lying very 
dispersedly (an acre lot here and a quarter acre lot there), are thrown 
more together; and also, as marking the change which had taken 
place in agriculture. In 1600 out of 46 acres, 36 were under the 
plough, and only 10 in grass. In 1780 the whole was in grass. 
After saying that this total was 34a. 2r. 12p., Mr. Hickes in his ter- 
rier of 1783 accounts for the deficiency as compared with previous 
terriers, by the land taken for the turnpike road before mentioned. 

The present condition of the glebe marks another change in 
agricultural practice. Though none has been broken up of late 
years, 20 acres are now arable. It has been drained, and the whole 
is in high condition. 

Of the Church house there are these memorials. Court roll 1568. 
“The jurors say that the house called the Church house was built 


ae - 
A 


~ obapeg 


—s5 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 53 


and founded upon a piece of waste ground belonging to the lords of 
this village.” 1629. “ Also they present that the Church house is 
situate and built on the waste of the lord of this manor, and, as 
they have heard, was the house of the parishioners, and 60 years 
and more since was at their use and disposal; but during 30 years 
and more the lords of this manor have held it and disposed of it.” 
The purposes for which the Church house was used having been 
superseded by the more orderly, though less festive operation of 
rating, we find Mr. Hickes making in the parish register this in- 
structive entry. “In Novemb. Ano. Dni. 1732, a House called the 
Church House, which had two chimnys, one at each end, was 
pulled down, and the stones and timber used in the rebuilding the 
House near the Parsonage House [ Church farmhouse]. This House 
reached from the Lower Stile (going to the brook) to the rails east- 
ward, as may [be seen] from the stoone wall left for bounds of the 
Church yard. This Church House was built by one Thomas Cock- 
son, as appeared by a stoone in the wall of the said house next the 
Church yard side, in which was engraven a Pedlar’s Pack, and on 
each side a cock. Some poor people liv’d in it in the memory of 
man, who liy’d in the year sixteen hund. eighty and nine, and in 
particular cas I have been inform’d by some that could remember 
it, the father of John Oatridge, which John Oatridge had a leg cut 
of, and mended shoes in a house belonging to Esqr. House, in the 
lower end of the field near the brook, and was buried in May 1706, 
which House was pulled down about year seventeen hundred and 
eleven or twelve. About this Church House, after it was pulled 
down, were noises in the night, like throwing the timbers about 
one upon another and upon the stones that lay near, by Mrs. Hunt 
and her two daughters that liv’d just by. Likewise in the Farm 
House (lying by the Parson’s House, in which then liv’d one 
Robert Newman), while the Church House was pulling down and 
after, they heard the treading of one going up and down stairs. 
Also a noise of throwing the stones that were brought from the 
said Church House into their Barton, from one heap to another.” 
There was an old Rectory house here, built probably about 1600. 
Having fallen into a state of extensive decay, it was pulled down 


54 Broughton Gifford. 


1849, and the present one built on the same site, from the designs 
of Mr. T. H. Wyatt. 

The following are the institutions of Rectors, according to Sir 
Thomas Phillipps’ printed lists, as corrected by comparison with 
the originals :— 


A.D. PATRON. REcrToR. 

1308 Abbess of Shaftesbury Nicholas de Lavington. 

1314 Ditto John de Selewode. 

1322 Ditto Peter de Wymborn. 

1326 Ditto Walter de Kemeseye (exchanged for Patney). 

1328 Margaret, Abbess of 8, Ww. de Abendon (from Patney). 

1336 Abbess of S. John de Ombury: by exchange from Fenny 

1337 The King, for the Abbess Ralph Northern (revoked). [Sutton. 

1337 Ditto Thomas Tremer. 

1347 Ditto Stephen Avebury. [Olneye.) 

1349 Abbess of S. Peter le Wyse (exchanged with Ralph de 

1399! Ditto Thomas Polton, vice Johannis Croxsale. 

1400 Ditto Wm. Stoke, vice Thomas Pulton. 

1400 Ditto Wm. Frank. 

1407 Ditto John Teffonte, by resignation of Wm. Frank, 

1412 Ditto Wm. Aas, by resignation of John Teffonte. 

1419 Ditto John Lawrence, on death of Wm. Aze. 

1422 Ditto John Fovent, on resignation of John Law- 

1424 Ditto Wm. Whitmer, vice J. Fovent. [rence. 

1429 Ditto Richard Olyver, by exchange with Wm. 

1434 Ditto Wm. Notte. { Whitmer, 

1438 Ditto Rob. Tonge, exchanged with Wm. Notte. 

1438 Ditto John Daldeyn, vice Rob. Tonge. [Daldeyn. 

1443 Ditto Stephen Mourepath, on resignation of John 

1446 Ditto Rich. Rede, on death of Stephen Mourepath. 

1447 Ditto John Seymour, on death of R, Rede. 

1457 Ditto John Parke, vice John Seymour. 

1457 Ditto Roger Favel, vice J. Parke. 

1459 Ditto Nicholas Peresson, on resignation of R.Favel, 

1487! Ditto Richard Estmonde, on death of Nicholas 
Godfrith. 

1504 Ditto Thomas Chafyn, on death of R. Estmonde, 

1509 Ditto Thomas Gronow, on resignation of T, Chafyn, 

1513 Ditto John Goldvye, exchanged with T. Gronow. 

1523 Ditto Henry Younge, on death of J. Goldvye. 


1 There are evidently in this list 2 /acune, one between 1349 and 1399, and 
another between 1459 and 1487. ‘There is an entry in the Institutions, ‘1361. 
Brutton. Patron, Bishop. Rector, Wm. Byde.” This may belong to Brough- 
ton, and the Bishop may have appointed by lapse. But it is also to be observed, 
that the Institutions are wanting from 1366 to 1375. Parts also of the years 
1474, 5, are lost, as also 1481 to 1484 inclusive. 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 55 


1568 The Queen John Bolde, on death of H. Younge. 
1600 Ditto John Bold, on resignation of Doctor Bold. 
1621 The King Paul Hood, on death of last Rector. 
1632 Ditto Robert Thompson, on death of Paul Hood. 
1633 Ditto Edmund Proby, on death of R. Thompson. 
1684 Ditto Antony Beeby, on death of Edmd. Proby. 
1687 Ditto Nathaniel Resbury, on death of Ant. Beeby. 
1659 Ditto Wn. Hickes. 
1733 Ditto James Webb, on resignation of Wm. Hickes. 
1742 Ditto John Rogers, on death of James Webb. 
1742 Ditto Griffin Seurlock, by cession of J, Rogers. 
1742 Ditto James Sparrow, on death of G, Scurlock, 
1763 Ditto Robert Addams Hickes, by resignation of J. 
Sparrow. 
1788 Ditto Wm. Walker, on death of R. A. Hickes. 
1812 Ditto Charles Strong, on death of Wm. Walker. 
1848 The Queen John Wilkinson, on resignation of C. Strong. 


That they lived and died are almost the only records of my pre- 

decessors. In consolation for our obscurity, the poet tells us that 

*¢ The world knows nothing of its greatest men.” 

Some lived long and peacefully in troublous times. The two cen- 
turies pre-eminently fraught with change to the Church of England 
were the 16th and 17th. But these were precisely the periods of 
the two longest incumbencies in the whole list, Henry Younge was 
rector here 45 years, all through the Reformation: and Edward 
Proby 51 years, all through the Great Rebellion. 

Dr. Proby was not, however, resident all that time. He was 
ejected by the Commonwealth, but lived to come back with the 
King. He was of the family of Proby, which coming from Chester 
(Lancastrian again), settled at Elton, Co. Huntingdon. Our rec- 
tor was the third son of Sir Peter Proby, Lord Mayor of London 
1622, and of Elizabeth his wife, daughter of John Thoroughgood 
of Chivers, Co. Essex. The present representative of the family is 
the Earl of Carysfort. The following account of Dr. Proby’s con- 
nection with Jesus College, Cambridge, has been most kindly sent 
me by Dr. Corrie the present Master. 

“Edmund Proby was admitted Pensioner of Jesus College, 
Cambridge, in the year 1617: took the degree of B.A. on 23rd May, 
1620 (as “ Edmundus Proby, Londinensis’’), and proceeded M.A. 
February 28th, 1624. His name does not appear among the Fel- 


56 Broughton Gifford. 


lows of the College, but by his will, dated July 6th, 1674, he de- 
vised the sum of £1200 to Jesus College, with the view of founding 
Two Fellowships in that House :—one for Divinity, the other for 
Civil Law. He provided that, in case the College should decline 
to accept his bequest, then the £1200 should be laid out by 
his executors in the purchase of an Impropriation, the proceeds of 
which should be applied, from time to time as they accumulated, 
to buy up other Impropriations, with a view to uniting them to 
the vicarages to which they might severally belong. By a codicil 
to his will, dated 10th May, 1676, in which he takes notice of his 
former bequest to Jesus College, he directed that the £1200 above 
mentioned might be applied to found Two Bye-Fellowships, with- 
out prescribing any conditions, except that these Fellows should 
not be entitled to any emoluments beyond what the investment of 
£1200 might produce, giving the College power, in case the Fel- 
lowships were declined, to apply the £1200 in the first place to the 
purchase of the Impropriate Tithes belonging to any vicarage in 
the gift of the College, so as to unite the tithes to these vicarages. 
‘And, also, for the buying in of Advowsons, of Rectories, and 
Vicarages, and settling the same in such legal manner as that the 
same might be presented unto and i pase from time to time, for 
ever, by the said College.’ 

“Tt appears that soon after the death of Dr. Proby, the £1200 
was paid over to certain Trustees for the purposes expressed in the 
Codicil: and that four Advowsons were purchased within the fifty 
succeeding years. But in the 9 George II. an act passed by which 
Colleges were restrained from purchasing Advowsons, if the num- 
ber of livings in their gift equalled ha/f the number of the Fellows 
of the College. Jesus College being thus precluded from any fur- 
ther applying the proceeds of Dr. Proby’s bequest in the manner 
they had hitherto done, they had to obtain an act of Parliament to 
enable them to invest those proceeds in public securities, with a 
view to accumulating a fund, out of which they might augment 
the income of their smaller livings: and to that purpose the pro- 
ceeds of Dr. Proby’s legacy are at present devoted.” 

Tt only remains to add that Dr, Proby was buried, 3rd January, 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 57 


t 


1684 (old style), on the north side of the chancel, and that the 
following inscription, surmounted by his arms deeply cut, is on his 
tomb stone :— 


‘Spe certa resurgendi in Christo sub hoc 
Marmore deposite sunt exuviee Reverendissimi 
Edmundi Proby 8.T.P. filii natu tertii 
Petri Proby de Elton in comitatu Huntingdonie 
Equitis Aurati qui per annos quinquaginta 
Et ultra fere duos hujus Ecclesiz Rector, 
Tandem A°. Dni 1684 AXtatis suze 86° 

moriens obdormivit.” 


John Seymour (mis-spelt, in Sir Thomas Phillipps’ Institutions, 
Sowdon and Southern) was elected Fellow of All Souls, Oxon, 
1447; installed Canon of Windsor 1470: died 1500. He was a: 
benefactor to Windsor, and his obit was kept on September 4th.! 

Mr. Hickes has so fully described himself in the parochial re- 
gisters,’ that he has well nigh been his own biographer. It has 
been mentioned that he was careful to maintain his rights. Of 
course, next to “ Anabaptists and Dissenters of no sect,” tithes 
were the most frequent cause of dispute. Of tithe-payers no one 
seems to have been more disputatious than Golding. Not satisfied 
with his defeat in his cause with the rector’s farmer of the tithes, 
William Harding, he in 1720 entered the lists with the rector him- 
self. Golding occupied different lands, some subject to tithe, 
others (Hutton’s land) where the tithe was (as he said) compounded. 
He kept “divers cows” on all his lands; and every year, some few 
days before they calved, drove them on Hutton’s land, where they 
calved, leaving nothing but “dry, barren, and unprofitable cattle” 
and no “fatted calf” to the parson. The defendant did not deny 
the fact, but disclaimed any design to injure the rector: it was his 
custom, he said, to keep his cattle during the winter season in 


? Ashmole’s Berks iii. 251, History of Windsor. A list of the canons by 
_ Thomas Frith (himself a canon.) ‘‘ Johannes Seymour, Coll: Omn: An: Oxon. 
Bocius electus 1447, Installatus 1470, Rector Ecclesia de Broughton in 
Wilts. ob. 1500. Benefactor, cujus obitus celeb. 4 Sept.” 
* ‘Tile velut fidis arcana sodalibus olim 

Credebat libris ; neque, si malé cesserat, usquam 

Decurrens alio, neque si bené: quo fit, ut omnis 

Votiva pateat veluti descripta tabellé 

Vita senis.” Hoy, Sat. II, i, 30, 


58 Broughton Gifford. 


houses and stalls until the inclement weather abated, that always 
on the approach of spring and calving time, he drove his cows from 
their houses and stalls to the best ground he could get, to preserve 
the calves. He failed, however, in convincing the court that his 
motives were purely bucolic, and was ordered “forthwith to come 
to an account with the plaintiff.” The rector was more successful 
in the enforcement of his material, than of his spiritual rights. The 
law could reach men’s cattle, but not their consciences. 

The means of education were partly provided here for the labour- 
ing population, as we have seen, by good Mrs. Paradice in 1782. 
Further facilities were afforded in 1850 by the erection of commo- 
dious school and class rooms. 


Natvurat History. 
LAND. 


We lie in an extensive valley, which measures eight miles across. 
Kingsdown is on the north, the line of hill trending away towards 
Corsham (thus separating us from the Box valley), and Monks 
park; then (the river Avon intervening) follow, Bowden, Sand- 
ridge, Rowde, Roundway Hills, and the projecting hog’s back of 
Seend, on the east; Salisbury Plain, the heights of Bratton, Ed- 
ington, and the White Horse of Westbury are on the south ; the 
hills about Farleigh-Hungerford, Westwood, Bradford (the river 
escaping here through a narrow opening), Winsley, and Conkwell, 
close us up westward, and connect themselves with Kingsdown. 

The surface of the parish presents no commanding eminences, 
and yet cannot be called a flat. There is scarcely a field from 
which the water does not readily fall, and yet there is nothing 
which can be called a hill. Old deeds so call Norrington common, 
which cannot be more than 5U feet above the level of the river. 

In the south, including the railway, the upper soil is a fine 
mould, resting on a bed of gravel, which again rests on Oxford 
clay, increasing in consistency according to depth. These beds 
are of varying thickness. The mould, geo/ogicé brick earth, is three 
or four feet thick before it touches the gravel: which again is as 
thick, before the clay is reached. Sometimes, where the ground | 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 59 


begins to rise from the river meadows, the gravel is much nearer 
the surface. In the northern and higher part of the parish, fur- 
ther from the river, there is no gravel. The subsoil is also clay, 
but of a different character to that beneath the gravel, more porous 
and sandy; having beneath it, at a considerable depth, the same 
Oxford clay. Here, also, the upper soil is of varying thickness ; 
and, as the gravel in the south, so the clay here, comes near the 
surface, when the ground increases in elevation. The gravel is 
known to geologists as “Mammalian drift,” from its frequently 
containing remains of those animals. It consists of debris and 
rolled fragments of those secondary rocks which belong to the 
lower, middle, upper oolite, and cretaceous groups, particularly 
great oolite, forest marble, cornbrash, Kelloways rock, calcareous 
grit, coral rag, Kimmeridge clay, green sand, chalk, and chalk- 
flints. All these materials were furnished in the immediate neigh- 
bourhood, by those hills which I have mentioned as encircling our 
happy valley. This gravel contains great numbers of Ammonites 

_ and Belemnites out of the Oxford clay, much rolled and worn, also 
‘many land and fresh water shells. It has been extensively quar- 
ried in the parish, for the purpose of ballasting the lines of railway 

to Salisbury and Weymouth. So, a scientific traveller, meeting with 
these remains at a distant station, will know where they come from. 
‘There are irregular thin seams of sand in this drift, containing 
‘several species of Rhizopods, or Forameniferous shells, exceedingly 
‘minute, but very beautiful under a microscope. They are often 
injured by rolling, but their very preservation shows that the de- 
‘posit must have been very quietly formed.! At the bottom of the 
gravel, and on the surface of the Oxford clay, are found (wherever 
the railway cutting is sufficiently deep) numerous vertebre and fe- 
Mora of Saurians. There also, ina portion of the glebe, were lying 
a fractured portion of a gigantic deer’s horn, and a beautiful piece of 
ivory tusk, 2 ft. 4 in. long, with an average circumference of 9 in., 
as white as on the day when it parted from its owner. It was 


_ ' For the names of these shells and for a section of our geological system, I 
refer to Mr. Cunnington’s interesting paper in vol. iv. p. 131 of the Magazine, 
the sand seams are, it strikes me, rather too thick in the wood-cut there. 


60 Broughton Gifford. 


placed in the museum of the Bath Institution. Many more such 
remains would be brought to light, were the cuttings made for 
scientific, rather than for utilitarian purposes. Descending we 
come to.the Oxford clay, which is full of large septaria, masses of 
stone intersected by septa or seams of calcareous matter, which 
others have called, from their appearance, “tortoise stones,” but 
which we, with our dairy associations, name “cheeses.” 

The moral and physical influences of the geology of this district 
on man, is a subject which has engaged the attention of John Au- 
brey. ‘ According to the severall sorts of earth in England (and 
so all the world over) the indigene are respectively witty or dull, 
good or bad. In N. Wiltshire (a dirty clayey country) the indi- 
gene or aborigines speake drawlinge; they are phlegmatique, skins 
pale and livid, slow and dull, heavy of spirit: hereabout is but 
little tillage or hard labour, they only milk the cowes and make 
cheese; they feed chiefly on milke meates, which cools their braines 
too much, and hurts their inventions. These circumstances make 
them melancholy, contemplative, and malicious: by consequence 
whereof, come more law suites out of N. Wilts, at least double to 
the Southern parts. And by the same reason they are generally 
more apt to be fanatiques; their persons are generally plump and 
fegegy; gallipot eies, and some black; but they are generally hand- 
some enough.” This isa melancholy picture of the state of things 
here 200 years since. We have not been able, in the interval, ab- 
solutely to “alter the sort of earth” on which we live; but we hope 
that by clearing away the forest, by draining, by more tillage, and 
by general agricultural improvement, (to say nothing of moral and 
intellectual agencies), we have considerably modified its ill effects, 
and are the better in body and in mind accordingly. 

Water. 
Avon, Even, Sevon, or Severn, is the appropriate name of rivers 
whose course is smooth and gentle ;! and our part of the lower 
1<¢There is a gentle nymph not far from hence, 
That with moist curb sways the smooth Severn stream, 
Sabrina is her name.”—Milton’s Comus. 


‘Oh, could I flow like thee! and make thy stream 
My great example, as it is my theme: 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 61 


Avon (so called to distinguish it from the upper or Warwickshire 
river, though not happily, for there is another Avon in Wilts, lower 
still) does not belie its ancient British designation. The stream 
is not anywhere rapid: except at Monkton ford, it passes on, with 
a gentle current of a mile an hour, at a depth of 10 or 15 feet, 
between banks 3 feet high which it has cut for itself through the 
rich alluvial soil. 

“Rura, que Liris quieta 

Mordet aqua, taciturnus amnis.” 
The easiness of its flow may be estimated from the fact, that 
between Bradford and Bath, about 12 miles, the Canal#which runs 
by the river side is without a lock. The water is apt, whenever 
increased by freshets or floods, to cover the level meadows by its 
side. In 1852 the floods were unprecedented, both in height and 
frequency. That of June 9 was the highest within memory. This 
was followed by others, on August 11, September 6, November 8 
which lasted till the 16th, being at its highest on the 12th at 11 


_ p.m. when the water ran into the Bear Inn at Melksham. On the 


24th the river again rose to an extraordinary height. These floods 


_ lay about 80 acres in this parish under water. 


As to its source, our Avon, a North Wiltshire river, rises very 
appropriately in the territory of Mr. Sotheron Estcourt, one of our 
North Wiltshire members. There are two small streams, often 


_ dry in summer, one coming from Weston-Birt, the other from the 
hollow below the town of Tetbury ; they meet at the head of the 


lake in Estcourt Park, where they are joined by a copious source 
of water always running. The lake, a picturesque piece of orna- 


mental water, about a mile long, was formed by damming up the 


lower extremity of the valley, about 60 years since, by the grand- 


father of the present proprietor. This may be taken to be the 
source of the river Avon. The boundary line between the two 


counties of Gloucester and Wilts passes through the middle of the 
lake, and follows the right bank of the stream for about a mile till 


Though deep, yet clear; though gentle yet not dull ; 
Strong without rage, without o’erflowing full.” Sir John Denham. 
Pliny drew the comparison between life and a river, Sir H. Davy has beau- 
tifully extended it in prose (Salmonia), Mrs, Hemans in verse. 


62 Broughton Gifford. 


it touches Foss bridge, where Acman street, part of the Roman 
road or Fosse way from Bath (Agua Solis) to Cirencester (Corinium), 
crosses the stream, and marks the boundary South westward for 
nearly two miles more. On its emerging from the lake, the river 
is wholly in Wilts, whilst in the womb of the lake, Gloucestershire 
must be allowed to claim half the honours of its birth. Winding 
through a narrow and tortuous valley it reaches, in five miles, 
Malmesbury, where it is joined by Newnton stream, a not inconsi- 
derable brook, from Badminton through Easton Grey: in six 
miles, still tortuous, it reaches Dauntsey; four more carry it to 
Christian _ ae one more to the Great Western Railway ; three 
more to its junction with the Marden, a stream receiving various 
contributions from the western slopes of the Marlborough Downs, 
communicating with the lake at Bowood and flowing by Stanley 
Abbey : two miles with a wide loop take it to Chippenham; five 
more, with many a bend, to Lacock Abbey, four and a half more 
somewhat straighter to Melksham, two and a half, also pretty direct, 
to Monkton. In all, thirty-three miles from Estcourt lake to 
Broughton. 

About seven miles south-west of Cirencester on the Roman way, 
where it crosses the Thames and Severn canal, in the parish of 
Kemble, is the source of the river Isis, or rather of the Thames. 
Both rivers rise in the same stratum, stone corn-brash or bastard 
Oolite. The water-shed between the two sources (divortium aquarum), 
turning the Avon to the south and the Thames to the east, is a 
spur of the Cotswold range, thrown out from the main line by way 
of Rodmarton, into the clay vale, bounded by Minety to the east and 
by Somerford to the west. 

It has been held by Bergmaun that, in mountain chains running 
north and south, the western slope is most abrupt, while in chains 
running east and west the southern slope is the steepest.!_ What- 
ever be the correctness of this law, here there is certainly an 
example of it. The direction of the Cotswold range is 8.S.E. by 
N.N.W. and its steepest side looks west, while the inclination on 


1 The most striking example of the great geographer’s theory is the Scandi- 
navian mountain chain, with its scarped precipices facing the Atlantic. 


et > 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 63 


the eastern slope is mostly easy. The spur in question is no excep- 
tion ; the ascent from the vale of Minety is gentle and continuous. 

The river scenery changes, gradually increasing in interest. 
Here the stream, strongly coloured by the alluvial deposit through 
which it eats its way, flows between meadow banks; a few miles 
lower down, towards Bath, it passes through deep and green val- 
leys; further on still, at Clifton, through rock and wood. With 
us its beauty is uf a more tranquil, though never of a tame charac- 
ter. The reaches, now straight now winding, the volume of water,. 
the dipping willows and bulky elms by the side, the banks gay 
with the purple loose-strife, bull-rushes, and broad-flags; the shel- 
tered nooks of the surface, paved with the platter-like leaf, and 
yellow flower of the water lily; the level meadows dotted with 
large grazing beasts, sheep and horses; the gentle slopes which 
lead the eye to the distance beyond, the sharp angular outline of 
Roundway, the more curved lines of Sandridge and Bowden Hills, 
the straighter barrier of the Plain, the crowned heights of Monkton 
Farleigh ; in the mid distance, the different farm homesteads, the: 
factory chimnies and Church tower of Melksham, reminding of the- 


business of this life and the happiness of a better,— 


“Tn the mixture of all these appears 
Variety, which all the rest endears.” 


The parish is otherwise well watered. The brook, from which it 
takes its name, flows through its south-western part. Broughton: 
brook rises in the southern slope of Kingsdown, behind Monkton Far-. 
leigh House, close to the Monks’ Well. The water is thence conveyed 
in pipes to a large cistern, supplying once the Monastery and now 
the great house on its site. It is then lost for a time “ underneath 
the ground,” but re-appears again in different spots on the hill’s. 
side, ‘where the morn’s sun doth look,” in Park wood, in a large 
fish pond, at Rushmead, till “the struggling water breaks out in 
a brook,”! crossing the road leading from Monkton Farleigh to. 
Wraxhall and dividing those two parishes; crosses the road again 
below Little Chalfield Poor House, passes Little Chalfield and Great 
Chalfield, skirts a hazel wood, cuts its way deep in the alluvial soil 


' Beaumont and Fletcher’s : Faithful Shepherdess,’ before quoted. 


64 Broughton Gifford. 


through the meadows, between a double file of pollard withies, 
reaches Broughton church in a course of about seven miles, and is 
finally lost in the Avon near some fine elms at Monkton. About 
six furlongs to the north of the church, it is joined by another and 
smaller stream, which rises near Mr. Long’s manor house at Wrax- 
hall, also on the southern slope of Kingsdown, whence it struggles 
on its way between hawthorns, withies, nuts, and now and then a 
pollard oak, most “ unwedgeable and gnarled with very knotty en- 
trails’ indeed, the eccentricities of whose growth would be remark- 
able on a transverse section, till it mingles with its future associate, 
a fine pollard standing sentinel at the point of junction. 


CLIMATE. 

The climate of a district in this part of England chiefly depends 
on its elevation above the sea level, its slope or the aspect which it 
presents to the sun’s rays, the prevalent winds, the nature of the 
soil, the degree of agricultural improvement, the direction of the 
mountain ranges, and the fall of rain. 

Our elevation is not considerable. The top of the church tower 
is only 192 feet above the level of the sea.1_ The slope of the sur- 
face is to the south. The prevalent winds are westerly. Kings- 
down shelters us to the north. The temperature, as influenced by 
all these causes, would be mild. The scenery is that of Somerset- 
shire, and the climate, both in regard of heat and moisture, would 
be the same, were it not extensively modified by the mountain 
ranges, the character of the soil there, and the winds which come 
thence, Marlborough downs and the high table land of the Plain, 
both with a porous soil, and within ten miles, to the east and south. 
The Cotswolds to the north are not more than fourteen, as the wind 
travels, and their offsets come within three. The Subsoil of that 
district near us is Cornbrash. These causes sharpen, as well as 
purify our atmosphere. Neither do we have as much rain as might 
be expected from our position on the map. Mountain ranges no 


1 This information is derived from the Ordnance Map Office, Southampton. 
As they are not published, I give, on the same authority, some other heights in 
this neighbourhood, Westbury down 752 feet, Monument on Farleigh down 
(top) 733, Steeple Ashton church (top of pinnacles) 358, Bromham church, do. 
437, Seend church (top of tower) 348, Trowbridge spire (top) 286: all above the 
level of the sea, 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 65 


doubt attract the vapours generated in warmer regions, condense, 
and discharge them in rain. But this influence depends much on 
two circumstances: the height of the mountains themselves and 
their consequent power of attraction, and their proximity to the 
Atlantic, that great reservoir of moisture for the whole of Western 
Europe. The hills about us are insignificant compared with others 
which lie between them and the sea. Rain usually comes, in these 
latitudes, from the west and south-west, that is from the ocean. 
But in that direction lie the Purbeck and Dorset heights, Black- 
down, Dartmoor (Causand Beacon is 1792 feet), Exmoor (Dunkery 
Beacon 1668), Quantock 1000, Mendip 1100 (levying all those con- 
tributions from the Bristol Channel with which we should other- 
wise be favoured). The highest portions too of the Cotswolds are 


at a distance, on the northern portion of that range, near the War- 


wickshire Avon; Cleeve Hill 1134, Broadway Beacon 1086, are 
45 miles off in a straight line. These circumstances may perhaps 
account for the popular reputation which this valley has of being 
dry and healthy. 

A Barometrical record has been kept for the three years ending 
with 1853. The observations were taken at 8°30 a.m., and, when 
the weather seemed to require it, the instrument was watched dur- 
ing the day. I subjoin a table of the readings. 


1851. 1852. 1853. 

Months. Means. {Maxima.{Minima. || Means. |Maxima.|Minima. || Means. |Maxima.| Minima. 
January 29°59 | 30-20 | 28-88 |] 29-95 | 30°22 | 28-91 || 29°56 | 30-06 | 29°15 
February | 29°75 | 30-30 | 29-30 |) 29°89 | 30°80 | 29:11 || 29°52 | 30-05 | 28-85 
March 29°60 | 30°24 | 28°57 || 30-03 | 30°62 | 29-29 || 29-78 | 30-04 | 29:40 
April 29°73 | 30°03 | 29°31 || 30°02 | 30°70 | 29°52 | 29°67 | 30:19 | 29:20 
May 29:92 | 30:38 | 29-43 || 29:84 | 30-30 | 29-51 | 29°77 | 30°05 | 29°54 
June 29°97 | 30°29 | 29°55 || 29°63 | 29°85 | 29°16 / 29°78 | 30:08 | 29°50 
July 29°80 | 30°06 | 29°41 || 29°94 | 30-08 | 29°78 | 29°80 | 30°17 | 29°25 
August 29°95 | 30°27 | 29°65 || 29:20 | 30-21 | 28°79 | 29:94 | 30°80 | 29°11 
September | 30-09 | 30-48 | 29:27 | 29-74 | 30°38 | 28-96 | 29°88 | 30°32 | 29-20 
October 29°76 | 30°29 | 28°83 || 29°82 | 30:24 | 28°80 | 29°58 | 29-96 | 28-95 
November | 29°81 | 30°35 | 29:27 || 29-46 | 30-10 | 28-72 29°29 | 30°46 | 29°57 
December 30°44 | 29°35 | 29°56 | 30:01 | 28:90 | 29°83 | 30°25 | 29°22 
Annual Means. 29°756 29°748) 


66 Broughton Gifford. 


I am enabled, through the kindness of the late Mr. Bellville of 
the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, to give his observations there 
during the same period. 


Months. Means. Maxima.|Minima. Means. |Maxima.|Minima. || Means. |Maxima.)Minima. 


January | 29°75 80-38 | 2015 | 29-71 | 30°35 | 29:01 || 29-64 | 30-18 | 29-02 
February | 29-99 | 30-40 | 29-41 | 29-95 | 30-64 | 29-08 || 29-60 | 30-17 | 28-96 


March 29°70 30-37 | 28-68 30:10 30°72 | 29°18 || 29°86 | 30°15 | 29°36 


1851. | 1852. 1853. 
| 


— 


a 


April 29°82 | 30°13 | 29°36 | 30°04 | 30°30 | 29°51 || 29°79 | 30:24 | 29:22 
May 29°98 | 30°46 | 29°57 | 29°87 | 30-21 | 29-57 |] 29°83 | 30-12 | 29-44 
June 29:99 | 30:34 29-50 | 29°64 | 30:00 | 29°18 || 29-80 | 80-11 | 29°50 
July 29:80 | 30:11 | 29-42 | 29:93 | 30°11 | 29°66 || 29°82 | 30°19 | 29-20 


August 30:00 | 30:34 | 29:50 || 29-73 | 30:20 | 29-02 || 29°88 | 30-29 | 29-11 
September | 30°12 | 30°57 | 29°39 | 29°83 | 80°44 | 28°87 || 29°90 | 30°36 | 29-02 
October 29°81 30°33 | 29°03 | 29°76 | 30°43 | 28°74 || 29°63 | 30:04 | 28-91 
November | 29-86 | 30:45 | 29°30 | 29°53 | 30°14 | 28°86 || 30-02 | 30-49 | 29-64 


December | 30-22 30°51 | 29:50 | 29-66 | 30-29 | 28-99 || 29-85 | 30°33 | 29-16 


Annual Means. 29-920) ; 29°812 29°801 


A few obvious remarks occur on a comparison of the above tables. 

At Broughton Gifford during 1851 the means were lower for 
every month, except December, when ‘19 higher. The maxima 
were invariably lower. The minima lower every month except 
August, when 15 higher. 

At Broughton Gifford during 1852 the means lower every month 
except January, July, and October, when respectively ‘24, 01, 06 
higher. But the means run each other very close this year, except 
in August, when there is a difference of ‘53 in favour of Greenwich. 
The maxima lower every month except February, April, May, and 
August, when respectively ‘16, 40, 09, ‘01 higher. The minima 
lower every month except March, April, July, September, October, 
(nearly half the year), when respectively °21, ‘01, 12, 09, °06 
higher. 

At Broughton Gifford during 1853, the means lower every month 
except August, when ‘06 higher. Maxima lower every month ex- 
cept August, when ‘51 higher. Minima lower every month except 
January, March, May, July, September, October, December, (more 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 67 


than half the year), when respectively °13, ‘04, 10, -05, -18, -04, 
‘06, higher. 

The general conclusion, to which this comparison leads, would 
seem to be, that on the whole the climate of Broughton Gifford is 
less hot, and less dry, than that of Greenwich; heat and moisture 
being the principal causes of variations in the weight of the atmos- 
phere, and consequently of the mercury’s rise or fall in the tube 
of the barometer. If there be any exception, it would be that the 
atmosphere appears less heavy at Broughton Gifford in August. 
A comparison of the annual means for the three years at the two 
places supports this general conclusion, and shows the amount of 
difference between Broughton Gifford and Greenwich. In 1851, 
1852, 1853, the readings were lower here respectively ‘055, -056, 
053. The great similarity, and almost uniformity of the figures 
is remarkable, and is a sort of test of the accuracy of the observa- 
tions in both places. The mean of three years is almost identical 
with that for any one year, being ‘0546 (rather more than 1-20th 
of an inch), which figures express the regular depression of the 
atmosphere at Broughton Gifford (as far as can be inferred from 
three years observations) below that of Greenwich. 

This may be taken to be a favourable testimony to the climate 
here, for Kent (it should be remembered) is one of the driest, and, 
_ in summer, one of the hottest counties in England. There are few 
_ places where the barometer ranges higher than at Greenwich. 
Were the comparison made between the general climate of Eng- 
land and that of Broughton Gifford, the result would be greatly 
in our favour. 

True, the years 1852, 1853, (particularly the former), were very 
_ exceptional in their atmospheric character. But then they were 
exceptional in the West, as well as in the East of England. It may 
be worth while, as they have never been published, to mark a few 
of these meteorological discrepancies for 1852, as observed at Green- 
wich. The general annual Barometrical mean, as deduced from a 
comparison of thirty consecutive years ending 1844, is 29870. In 
1852 it was 29812, and this in spite of the dryness of that year’s 
spring, when the barometer ranged far above the average. But 

E2 


68 Broughton Gifford. 


as we proceed in the year, we soon find the cause of its low annual 
mean. During the five last months of the year it was continually 
depressed below 29. On August 11th the mercury was depressed 
here to 28°79. On November 16th it was at 28°72. The alterna- 
tions in the rise and fall of the mercury were violent and rapid, 
It sometimes rose ‘8 in eight hours, and was often highest, and the 
weather finest, just before the greatest fall. In November there 
was only one fine day, the 18th, the day of the Duke’s funeral, 
The whole atmosphere was charged with electricity, thunder and 
lightning were continual. This was owing to the disturbance of 
the equilibrium of the atmosphere by excessive evaporation; for 
during all this bad weather the range of the thermometer was far 
above the average. The winter of 1834 was thought remarkable 
for its high temperature; the thermometer in December being 35». 
But in November 1852 it was 61°8, and in December 56°. The 
mean for those months, on an average of thirty-five years, has been 
observed to be 48°62, 39°: 41; but in 1852 it was 48°°6, 46°’7. 

The exceptional character of the weather in 1852 appears further 
from the measurements of the rain gauge. The average annual fall 
of rain at Greenwich is about 24 inches. But in 1852 it was 35°52 
inches; and that again in spite of the dry spring; in March and 
April only 0°525 inch fell, one-sixth of the usual quantity. As we 
proceed in the year, the figures soon begin to mount up. On the 
7th and two following days of June, 2°34 inches fell, more than on 
any three consecutive days for at least twenty-six years. On 
August 11th more than 1 inch. During August and the three 
following months 18°81 inches fell, an amount never before obsery- 
ed in Kent. In November alone there were upwards of 6 inches. 
The inundations all over the country were excessive. Of those 
here mention has already been made. 


Tue Fiora or Broucutron Girrorp! 


Is not without interest to the Botanist. The following is an enu- 
meration of some of the more interesting plants that have been 


1 For this Parochial Flora my best thanks are due to Mr. Thomas Bruges 
Flower. 


Mew 


es 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 69 


observed, from time to time, in the neighbourhood, and is now 
drawn up, not because it will be found to contain any very remark- 
able species, but in the hope that it may be the means of attracting 
the attention of those persons who may feel desirous to pursue the 
study of this interesting science, to the Botany of their own im- 
mediate district. 


Ranunculacee. Lychnis flos-cuculi, L. 
Clematis vitalba, L. L—— diurna, 8. 
Anemone nemorosa, L. L Vespertina, 8. 
Ranunculus aquatilis, L. Arenaria serphyllifolia, L. 
R—— ficaria, L. Stellaria media, W. 
R———_ auricomus, L. iS) Holostea, L. 
R—— acris, L. s graminea, L. 
R——— repens, L. 8 uliginosa, M. 
R———  bulbosus, L. Cerastium aquaticum, L. 
R———— arvensis, L. C— glomeratum, 8. 
Caltha palustris, L. C triviale, L. 
Nympheacee. C semidecandrum, L. 
Nuphar lutea, S. Linacee. 
Papaveracee. Linum catharticum, L. 
Papaver dubium, L. Malvacee. 
1x rheas, L. Malva sylvestris, L. 
Chelidonium majus, L. M— rotundifolia, L. 
Fumariacee. Hypericacee. 
Fumaria officinalis, L. Hypericum perforatum, L. 
Cructfere. H—W— quadrangulum, L. 
Capsella Bursa pastoris, D.C. H——— hirsutum, L. 
Armoracia rusticana, B. Aceracee. 
Draba verna, L. Acer campestre, L. 
Cardamine pratensis, L. Geraniacee. 
C— hirsuta, L. Geranium pratense, L. 
Barbarea vulgaris, B. G — wmolie, L, 
Nasturtium officinale, B. G—— lucidum, L. 
Sisymbrium officinale, S. G robertianum, L. 
Erysimum Alliaria, L. Celastracee, 
Cheiranthus Cheiri, L. Euonymus europeus, L. 
Brassica campestris, L. Leguminifere. 
Sinapis arvensis, L. Ulex europzus, L. 
8 alba, L. Ononis arvensis, L. 
S—— nigra, L. Medicago lupulina, L. 
Violacee, Melilotus officinalis, L. 
Viola odorata, b. alba. A. Trifolium repens, L. 
V— sylvatica, F. aT: — pratense, L. 
V— tricolor, L. At — procumbens, L, 
Caryophyllacee, Lotus corniculatus, L. 
Silene inflata, L. L— major, S. 


70 


Vicia cracea, L. 

V— sativa, L. 

V— sepium, L. 

V— hirsuta, K. 

Lathyrus pratensis, L. 
Rosacee. 

Prunus spinosa, L. 

Spireea Ulmaria, L. 

Geum urbanun, L. 

Agrimonia Eupatoria, L. 

Potentilla anserina, L. 

ix Tormentilla, 8. 

P fragariastrum, E. 

Rubus fruticosus, A. 

R 

Rosa eanina, L. 

R— arvensis, L. 

Poterium Sanguisorba, L. 

Crategus Oxyacantha, L. 

Pyrus malus, L. 


Onagracee. 
Epilobium hirsutum, L. 
E——— parviflorum, 8. 
E——— montanun, L. 
Haloragiacee. 
Callitriche verna, L. 
Lythracee. 
Lythrum salicaria, L. 
Curcurbitacee. 
Bryonia dioica, L. 
Crassulacee. 
Sedum Acre, L. 
Saxifragacee. 


Saxifraga tridactylites, L. 


Chrysosplenium oppositifoliun, L. 


Araliacee. 
Adoxa moschatellina, L. 
Hedera Helix, L. 
Cornacee. 
Cornus sanguinea, L. 
Umbellifere. 
Conium maculatum, L. 


Helosciadium nodiflorum, K. 


Bunium flexuosum, W. 
Pimpinella Saxifraga, L. 
Sium angustifolium, L. 
(inanthe crocata, L. 
Asthusa cynapium, L. 
Silaus pratensis, B. 


rhamnifolius, W. and N. 


Broughton Gifford. 


Pastinaca sativa, L. 
Daucus carota, L. 
Torilis anthriscus, G, 
Scandix pecten, L. 
Anthriscus Sylvestris, H. 


Cherophyllum temulentum, L. 


Caprifoliacee. 
Sambucus nigra, L. 
Viburnum opulus, L. 
Lonicera Periclymenum, L. 


Rubiacee. 
Galium verum, L. 
G— palustre, L. 
G— Mollugo, L. 
@— Aparine, L. 
Valerianacee. 


Valeriana officinalis, L. 
Fedia olitoria, V. 
Dipsacee. 
Dipsacus sylvestris, L. 
Knautia arvensis, C. 
Composite. 
Helminthia echioides, G. 
Trincia hirta, R. 
Apargia hispida, W. 
A autumnalis, W. 
Hypocheris radicata, L. 
Sonehus arvensis 
S——-— oleraceus 
Crepis virens 
Hieracium pilosella, L. 
Taraxacum officinale, W. 
Lapsana communis, L. 
Cichorium Intybus, L. 
Arctium lappa, L. 
Carduus nutans, L. 


C — acanthoides, h. 
C—— lanceolatus, L. 
C——— arvensis, C. 
Centaurea nigrescens, A. 
C—— scabiosa, L. 


Eupatorium cannabinun, L, 
Tanacetum vulgare, L. 
Artemisia vulgaris, L. 
Gnaphalium uliginosum, L. 
Filago germanica, L. 
Tussilago Farfara, L. 
Senecio vulgaris, L. 

8 erucefolius, L 


oe eS er a ree 


foe 


By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 


Senecio Jacobea, L. 

8 aquaticus, H. 
Inula conyza, D.C. 
Pulicaria dysenterica, G. 
Bellis perennis, L. 


Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, L. 


Matricaria chamomilla, L. 
Achillea Millefolium. L. 
Jasminacee. 
Ligustrum vulgare, L. 
Fraxinus excelsior, L. 


Convolvulacee. 
Conyolvulus arvensis, L. 
C—— sepium, L. 

Scrophulariacee. 


Veronica arvensis, L. 


v— serpyllifolia, L. 
Vv. beceabunga, L. 
v Chameedrys, L. 
iV; hederifolia, Iu. 
v agrestis, L. 

Vv. polita, L. 


Euphrasia officinalis, O. 
Rhinanthus Crista galli, L. 
Scrophularia nodosa, L. 
iS) aquatica, L. 
Linaria vulgaris, M. 
Verbenacee. 
Verbena officinalis, L. 
Lamiacee. 
Lycopus europeus, L. 
Mentha aquatica, L. 
M arvensis, L. 
Origanum vulgare, L. 
Ajuga reptans, L. 
Ballota nigra, L. 
Lamium album, L. 
L———- purpureum, L, 
Galeopsis ladanum, L. 
G. tetrahit, L. 
Stachys sylvatica, L. 
Prunella vulgaris, L. 
Scutellaria galericulata, L. 


Boraginacee. 
Myosotis palustris, W. 
M arvensis, L, 


Symphytum officinale, L. 
Cynoglossum officinale, L. 


Primulacee. 
Primula vulgaris, L. 
P. veris, L. 
Anagallis arvensis, L. 
Plantaginacee. 
Plantago major, L. 
P media, L. 
P. lanceolata, L. 
Chenopodiacee. 
Chenopodium album, L. 
C——— Bonus Henrious, L. 
Atriplex patula, L. 
Polygonacee. 
Polygonum amphibium, L. 
P———_- persicaria, L. 
P————. Hydropiper, L. 
pP—— aviculare, L. 


P—_ convolvulus, L. 
Rumex crispus, L. 

R obtusifolius, L. 
R— acetosa, L. 

R— acetosella, L. 


Euphorbiacee. 
Euphorbia helioscopia, L. 
E——— peplus, L. 
Mercurialis perennis, L. 
Urticacee. 
Urtica urens, L. 
U dioica, L. 


Parietaria officinalis, L. 

Ulmus montana, Sm. 
Amentifere. 

Quercus robur, L. 

Fagus sylvatica, L. 

Corylus Avellana, L. 

Populus tremula, L. 

Salix alba, L. 


S—— viminalis, L. 
Tridacee. 
Iris Pseudacorus, L. 
Lilliacee, 
Hyacinthus nonscriptus, L. 
Tamacee. 
Tamus communis, L. 
Alismacee, 


Alisma Plantago, L. 
Sagittaria sagittifolia, L. 


72 


Aracee. 
Lemna minor, L. 
Arum maculatum, L. 
Sparganium ramosum, L. 
Juncacee. 
Juncus conglomeratus, L. 
J—— effusus, L. 
J—— glaucus, L. 
J—— acutiflorus, L. 
J bufonius, L. 
Luzula campestris, B. 
Cyperacee. 
Scirpus lacustris, L. 
S—— sylvaticus, L. 
Carex vulpina, L. 
C—— vulgaris, F. 
C—— acuta, L. 
C—— panicea, L. 
C—— pendula, L. 


C— — glauca, S. 

Cc precox, L. 

C—-- riparia, C. 
Gramina. 


Anthoxanthum odoratum, L. 


Phleum pratense, L. 
Alopecurus pratensis, L. 


A————- geniculatus, L. 
A————- agrestis, L. 
Agrostis canina, L. 

A vulgaris, W. 

A alba, L. 


Broughton Gifford. 


Arundo phragmites, L. 
Aira cespitosa, L. 

A— flexuosa, L. 
Avena pratensis, L. 
Arrhenatherum avenaceum, B. 
Holcus lanatus, L. 
Catabrosa aquatica, P. 
Glyceria aquatica, S. 
G fluitans, L. 

G- rigida, S. 

Poa annua, L. 

P— pratensis, L. 

P— trivialis, L. 

Briza media, L. 
Cynosurus cristatus, L. 
Dactylis glomerata, L. 
Festuca ovina, L. 


F duriuscula, L. 
F pratensis, L. 
Bromus giganteus, L. 
B— asper, L. 
B— sterilis, L. 
B— mollis, L. 


Brachypodium sylvaticum, B. 

Triticum repens, L. 

Lolium perenne, D. 

Hordeum pratense, L. 
Filices. 

Polypodium vulgare, L. 

Scolopendrium vulgare, S. 


yoy 


73 


Account of a Marrow on Oldbury Hill, Wilts ; 


OPENED BY Mr, Connineton, F.G.S., Fesruary, 1858, 


Funereal Urn, found in a barrow on Oldbury Hill, Wilts. In the 
Museum of the Wilts Archeological and Natural History Society, 
from a photograph by Marshman. 


N the early part of the present year, a man engaged in dig- 

ging flints on this hill suddenly struck his pickaxe into a 

hollow space, which proved to be the interior of a large urn. It 
was slightly mutilated by the blow, but was carefully lifted out 
and taken charge of by Mr. Clarke of Bourton, who kindly pre- 
sented it tome. I have since restored the broken part with Port- 
land cement, (a material admirably adapted to the purpose,) and 
the urn now forms part of the collection of the Wilts Archeological 
and Natural History Society. I subsequently visited the spot where 
it was found, and had the barrow re-opened. More than half of it 
had been turned over by the workmen in search of flints, but the 
following details were obtained. It is a large low circular barrow 


74 Wiltshire Tradesman’s Tokens. 


of 50 feet diameter, and about 2 feet high; situated on sloping 
ground on the eastern side of Oldbury Camp, about twenty yards 
from the exterior of the camp, and due east from Lord Lansdowne’s 
obelisk. The interment, which consisted of burnt bones, was in a 
cist 18 inches deep, and 18 inches wide, and a few feet from the 
centre of the barrow. That it was eccentric is probably owing to 
the materials of the barrow having gradually sunk on the sloping 
ground. The bones were those of an adult, but no weapon or im- 
plement was found. The urn was inverted over the ashes. It is 
of rude early British make, is 16 inches high, and 14 inches broad 
in the widest part. Like many others of this date, it is rudely 
ornamented round the upper portion, with zig-zag rows of indented 
dots, the interspaces of the angles being filled up with diagonal 
lines of similar dots, alternately sloping to the right and left, except 
in some instances where the workman has made some sad blunders 
in his design, and has filled up several consecutive angles with 
lines in the same direction. It was not turned in a lathe, and is 
formed of coarse clay, containing minute fragments of flint. The 
bottom of the urn was so near the surface, that a horse treading 
on the spot would certainly have put his foot into it. Ashes of 
wood, and fragments of bones of the domestic animals, were found 
throughout the barrow. 


CHiltshire Gradesman’s Cokens. 


By Wi114M Boyne, F.S.A.! 


iG cha small coinage of England from the earliest times was of 
silver; transactions requiring money of inferior value were 


carried on by means of black mail, turneys, Abbey-pieces, crockards, 
dotkins, staldings, and other base foreign currency, as well as by 


1 The following paper is extracted, with the Author’s permission, from his 
work called ‘‘ Tokens issued in the 17th century in England, Wales, and Ire- 
land, by Corporations, Tradesmen, &c. ;” by William Boyne, F.S.A. Smith, 
Soho Square, £2 2s. Some additions have been made, from a List published 
in 1846 by J. Y. Akerman, Esq., F.S.A.: and from some other sources of local 
information. Editor. 


By Mr. William Boyne, F.S.A. 75 


English leaden Tokens, all of which were illegal, and against the 
circulation of which many severe laws were enacted by our earlier 
Kings. Silver money was coined as low in value as the penny, 
three-farthings, half-penny, and farthing ; all these were in com- 
mon use, but from their small size and weight—the silver half- 
penny of Elizabeth weighing only four grains—they were extremely 
inconvenient and were easily lost. Small change of a more useful 
size and weight was required, even though it must consist of a 
baser metal. In the reign of Elizabeth, pattern-pieces were struck, 
and a preclamation drawn up, legalizing the circulation of copper 
money ; but owing to the difficulties the Queen had experienced 
in restoring the standard of silver money, which had been much 
debased during the extravagant reign of Henry VIIL., her aversion 
to a base currency was so great, that the project was abandoned 
without trial. Pennies and half-pennies of small size, however, 
were issued in 1601 and 1602 for circulation in Ireland, and 
authority was granted by Elizabeth, to the Mayor and Corporation 
of the city of Bristol, to issue a Corporation farthing Token. 

The need for small change being urgent, leaden Tokens, generally 
of mean workmanship, continued to be issued by tradesmen until 
1613, the eleventh year of the reign of James I., who then delega- 
ted his prerogative of striking copper money to John, Baron 
Harington, for a money consideration ; the patent however was 
granted for farthings only. 

On the accession of Charles I. to the throne in 1625, the patent 
for the coinage of farthings was renewed. The privilege was grossly 
abused by the patentees, who issued them in unreasonable quanti- 
ties, and of a merely nominal intrinsic value, the coins weighing 
only six grains each. They encouraged the circulation by giving 
twenty one shillings in farthings for twenty shillings in silver ; by 
this means many unprincipled persons were induced to purchase 
them, and would force five, ten, and even twenty shillings’ worth 
of them at a time on all with whom they had dealings. In a short 
time, not only the city of London, but the whole kingdom, and 
especially the counties adjacent to the metropolis—Kent, Essex, 
Suffolk, and Norfolk—were so burdened with them, that in many 


76 Wiltshire Tradesman’s Tokens. 


places scarcely any silver or gold coin was left, the currency con- 
sisting entirely of farthing Tokens. The issue of this patent was 
one of the many arbitrary acts of the first two Stuart Kings, which 
tended to destroy the attachment of the people to the Royal Family. 
It is remarkable that among nearly 9500 Tokens [described in the 
work mentioned in the Note to the previous page], the name of 
Charles is found on only 44. The numerous families named Smith, 
who issued above one hundred Tokens, have not a single Charles 
amongst them. James, being a Scripture name, has been more 
fortunate, though it is not so common as might have been expected. 

The accumulation of the patent farthings in the hands of small 
tradesmen, caused the latter so great a loss, from the refusal of the 
patentees to rechange them, that in 1644, in consequence of the 
public clamour, they were suppressed by the House of Commons, 
which ordered that they should be rechanged from money raised 
on the patentees’ estates. Apparently an authorized currency was 
then intended, as two pattern farthings were struck, one of which 
is dated 1644; the design however was never carried out, men’s 
minds being then too much occupied with the Civil War between 
the King and the Parliament. 

The death of the King put an end to the exclusive prerogative 
of coining copper and brass ; Tokens (such as those which form the 
subject of this Article) immediately began to be issued, and were 
circulated without authority, and, as stated on some of them, for 
“necessary change.” As they were received again by the issuer 
when presented, they were far preferable to the patent farthings. 
The earliest date on Tokens is 1648.—(A few were probably struck 
previous to the King’s death.) 

During the whole period of the Commonwealth, no copper money 
was coined by the government, except a few farthings, which are 
very rare, and were probably only patterns for an intended coinage. 
Silver money continued to be issued of the value of two-pence, one 
penny, and half-penny. That the government of the Commonwealth 
was as unpopular as that which it had overthrown, is evident from 
the Tokens, which were undoubtedly an index of public opinion: 


By Mr. William Boyne, F-8.A. rig 


whilst after the Restoration the Royal Arms, the King’s Head, and 
other insignia of Royalty, are exceedingly common. 

The spelling of words in the inscriptions is most irregular, owing 
partly to the unsettled state of English orthography at that period, 
and partly to the ignorance of those who struck the coins.—Thus, 
“on,” is often spelled onE; ‘‘ HenNERE” for Henry, “st. EEDS”’ 
for St. Neot’s: ‘‘oLFA-TREE”’ for olive-tree; “ HORSES sHow”’ for 
horse-shoe: &c. 

The coining of the Tokens seems to have been performed by the 
Issuers themselves. In the ‘Gentleman’s Magazine,’ vol. xxvii. 
page 499, there is an account of the discovery of a Token-press and 
dies, found at Chesterfield. 

For the convenience of rechanging the numerous varieties of 
Tokens, tradesmen kept boxes with several divisions, into which 
those of the various tradesmen and corporations were sorted, and 
when a sufficient number were collected, they were returned to the 
issuers, to be exchanged for silver. 

The devices on Tokens are very numerous, and may be classed 
under twelve divisions. 

I. The arms of the Incorporated Trade Companies of the city 
of London. These were generally adopted by persons of the same 
trade throughout the country. The colours of the Arms are not 
shown on the Tokens, and parts of the bearings are often omitted, 
with other inaccuracies. In addition to the Trade Companies, 
numerous individual tradesmen issued them, as Coalman, Comfit- 
maker, Pipe-maker, &c,: as well as Bailiffs, Churchwardens, lords 
of the Manor, Mayors, Members of Parliament, overseers of the 
Poor, one Rector and one Esquire. 

Il. The Arms of Cities, Towns, Abbeys, the Nobility, and 
private families. 

Ill. Merchant’s marks. In early times, when few persons 
could read, these curious marks must have been very useful, to 
enable work-people and others to distinguish bales of merchandise 
by the particular mark stamped on them. They appear to have 
been in use from the twelfth century. Common devices of this 
kind are, a cross, the figure 4, a heart, a circle, and the initials of 


78 Wiltshire Tradesman’s Tokens. 


the issuer. Many merchant families adopted for armorial bearings 
their trade-marks in a shield. They are partially used by shipping 
merchants at the present day. 

IV. Taverns and Shop Signs. The earliest Tokens having been 
issued by publicans, they have, on that account, been frequently 
called Tavern Tokens. The usual device is the sign of the Inn. 
The oldest were often of a religious character, as the Holy Lamb, 
the Salutation of the Virgin (which had degenerated at that period 
into two men saluting each other), the cross keys, &c. 

V. Articles of Dress sold by the issuers; as hats, caps, neck- 
whisks, piccadillies, leggings, &c. 

VI. Implements of Trade, Agriculture, and War ; as hammers, 
croppers’ shears, teazle-brushes, scissors, windmills, swords, &c. 

VII. Animals: as oxen, antelopes, cranes, peacocks, lobsters, &c. 

VIII. Articles of domestic use: as blackjacks, pret grid- 
irons, cleavers, tennis bat and ball, &c. 

IX. Heraldic signs: as a phenix, griffin, portcullis, Catharine- 
wheel, three legs of Man, &c. 

X. Conveyances: as coaches, waggons and packhorses, fishing 
boats. 

XI. Views of Public edifices: as churches, castles, bridges. 
These are mostly unlike the structures represented. 

XII. Punning Devices on the issuer’s name, after the manner 
of canting heraldry. As examples, there are Bush (a thornbush), 
Cox (two cocks), Harbottle (a bottle on a hare), Samson (Samson 
standing), Yate (a gate, still pronounced yate in the North), &c. 

The earliest dates are 1648, 1649 and 1650; but Tokens of these 
years are scarce. After 1650, until 1660, they are more plentiful : 
and nearly the whole of them are farthings: half-pennies are few 
in number, and there are no pennies. Those of a date subse- 
quent to the Restoration of Charles II. are the most abundant ; 
half-pennies are very common among them; and there isa good 
number of pennies. The years 1665, 1666, 1667, 1668 and 1669 
are the most prolific, in particular 1666 (the year of the great Fire 
of London); whilst in 1670, 1671, and 1672 they again became 
scarce ; of the latter year there are very few. 


By Mr. William Boyne, F.S.A. (i, 


The Tokens were in circulation exactly a quarter of a century ; 
they originated with a public necessity, but in the end became a 
nuisance ; they were issued by nearly every tradesman as a kind 
of advertisement, and being payable only at the shop of the issuer, 
they were very inconvenient. The Government had for some time 
intended the circulation of Royal copper money, as we have pat- 
tern-pieces of half-pennies and farthings of the year 1665; but it 
was not until the year 1672 that the farthings of Charles II., of a 
similar size to those of the present day, were ready for circulation. 
Tradesman’s Tokens were then put down by a stringent Proclama- 
tion dated 16th August 1672. A few attempts were made to con- 
tinue them, but the threat of Government proceedings against the 
offenders effectually suppressed them, and we hear no more of them 
in England. In Ireland the latest circulation was in 1679. 

On the Tokens the initial of the surname is usually placed over 
those of the Christian names of the husband and wife: though 
sometimes the wife’s initial is at the top, sometimes the three 
initials are in a line, the middle one being the surname, and at 
other times the surname is at the bottom. For the convenience of 
printing, the three initials are placed in one line. 

The contractions used are, O. for the Obverse side of the Token, 
R. for the Reverse; the mark =signifies that what follows it is in the 
field or central part of the Token; 1, 4, and 4, signify Penny, Half- 
penny, and Farthing, showing the size of the piece. 


EAiltshire. 

Among the Wiltshire Tokens, which are all of an ordinary cha- 
racter, there are no Pennies. They commence early, one of them 
(John Gage of Bradford) bearing the date of 1649, and they con- 
tinue to 1671, almost the last year Tokens were permitted to cir- 
culate. There are corporation-pieces of Marlborough and Salisbury. 

ALDBOURNE, 


1, O. I0HN. ADEE. OF. ALBORN =I. A, 
R, IN . WILTSHIERE . 1656 = Three rabbits feeding. 


2. O. RICHARD. CLARK. IN — 1658. : 
R. ALBORN. WILTSHER = R.E. OC. 


el 


80 Wiltshire Tradesman’s Tokens. 


AMESBURY. 
3. O. JOHN. MOORES. OF = HIS HALFE PENNY. 3 
R. aMBRosBuRY . 1667. =1.M.D. 
BARFORD. [Mr. Akerman.] 
3.* O. MARY. BRINE.IN = The Arms of the Ironmongers’ Company. 4 
R. BARFORD- 1667 = In the field HER. HALFPENNY and a cinquefoil. 
BISHOPSTONE. 
4; O. 1. CLARK. BISHOPSTON —I.C. t 
R. IN. WILTSHIERE . 1656 = The Mercers’ Arms. 
BRADFORD.! 
5. O. WILLIAM. BAILY. MERCER = The Mercers’ Arms. t 
R. IN. BRADFORD. 1668 = A NAG’S HEAD. W.B. 
6.2. O. WILLIAM . CHANDLER = The Grocers’ Arms. 2 
R, IN. BRADFORD .[16]63 = w.c. 
6.* O, WILLIAM. CHANLER = The Grocers’ Arms. : 
R. IN. BRADFORD . 1650 =w.c. 
7. O. DANIELL. DEVERRELL = A crown. 2 
R. IN , BRADFORD. 1663. = D.D. 
8. O. JOHN.GAGE.oF = The Mercers’ Arms. 4 
R. BRADFORD. 1649. =1.G. 
9, O, PAULE.METHWIN = A chevron ensigned with a cross pattée, in 
base a heart.” 2 
R. IN. BRADFORD = A cross between P. M. 
CALNE. 
10. O. JAMES. BARTLETT = A crown. : 
R. oF. CALNE. 1669 =1.B. 
11. O. STEPHEN. BAYLIE = The Mercers’ Arms. 2 


R. oF. CAULNE. 1669 = 8.5S.B. 


12. O. soHN. DASH = The Tallowchandlers’ Arms. 
R. IN. CALNE. 1669 =1.P.D. 


el 


1 Several towns in England having the same name, it is difficult to apportion 
the Tokens bearing that name. Under the name of Bradford there are tokens 
in Yorkshire, Wilts, and Somerset. By searching Parish Registers, and by 
other kinds of inquiry, Mr. Boyne has done his best to distinguish them. To 
Bradford in Yorkshire, he assigns the following: Wm. Bancks.—John Cooke 
1666.—John Cook and Josiah Farrand.—John Durham 1667.—Wm. Hopkinson. 
—Thos. Ibbotson.—John Preston 1666.—Jacob Selbee 1665.—To Bradford (near 
Taunton) Co. Somerset, Will. Serle 1659. Those in the text, to Bradford, Wilts, 
now called Bradford-on-Avon. It will be seen by reference to Wilts Archeolo- 
gical Magazine, vol. v. p. 50, that some of the Tokens there considered to belong 
to Bradford in Wilts, are among those assigned by Mr. Boyne to Bradford in 
Yorkshire. Editor. 

2§ee wood-cut in Wilts Mag. vol. v. 50, This is the merchant’s mark of the 
issuer of the Token, not the coat of arms of the Methuen family. dttor. 


By Mr. Wiliam Boyne, F.S.A. 81 
- ARTHUR. FORMAM — HIS HALF PENNY. + 
- CHANDLER. OF. CALNE = A o Dey 


- JOHN . FORMAN = Two Tobacco-pipes crossed.! t 
. IN. CALNE = 1I.A.F, 


» JOHN . JEFFREYS = The Grocers’ Arms, 
OF .cAUN. 1668 =1I.m.1. 


el. 


» WIL . JEFFREY . ELDER = The Grocers’ Arms. t 
. IN. CALNE = W.I. 


GRACE. LAWRENCE = An Anchor. 
OF. CAULN .. 1669 = 1.4.1. 


ei. 


WITHERSTONE . MESENGER = Three rolls of bread. + 
OF . CALNE. BAKER = W. M.M. 


- JOHN . NORMAN = The Grocers’ Arms. 
. IN. CAULNE =1.M.N. 


él 


AT. THE . GLASS . HOUSE = A warehouse with turret on the top. 
- IN.CALNE. 1669 =a.1,5, 


CASTLE COMBE. 


- JEREMIAH . BERRY = The Grocers’ Arms. 
» OF . CASTLE. COMBE .[16]68 =1. 8. 8, 


el- 


PO RPS PO RS BO HO HO Ee) 


alm 


. THOMAS. BERY. MERCER = T.1. B, 
» IN. CASTLE. COMBE. [16]66 = A castle, 


CHIPPENHAM. ° 


23, O. WILL. ADYE. MERCER —w. Fk As 2 
#. IN. curpennam. 1665 = w. Loe a 


al 


XO BO 


‘The pipes on this and other Tokens are of the king called by the vulgar, 
“Fairy Pipes,” which were made at the commencement of the 17th century, 
They are frequently found in ploughed fields, whither they have been carried in 
manure. They are generally without stems, but when perfect are about eight 

Inches long, thicker in the stem than modern pipes, with small heads almost 
egg-shaped. In some districts they are found with the maker’s initials at the 
bottom of the head. By some they are believed to have been made long prior 
_ to the reign of Elizabeth, during whose reign tobacco was first introduced ; there 
_ are certainly reasons for supposing that the custom of smoking is more ancient 
_ than the introduction of tobacco, When half of the great tower of Kirkstall 
Abbey, Co. York, fell down in 1779, a number of these “ fairy pipes’? were 
_ found imbedded in the mortar, and it is known that the most modern part of 
the tower was built in the reign of Henry VII.; and after the Abbey was dis- 
“Mmantled at the Reformation, there was no access to the upper part of the tower. 
_ Several were lately found at Newcastle in the Castle midden, on removing the 
houses built on that ancient accumulation. These pipes are called in Ireland 
“Danes’ pipes.” One was found in a Danish Cairn in 1855. See Ulster Journal 
of Archwvlogy, iii. p. 320. 


F 


82 Wiltshire Tradesman’s Tokens. 


ol 


24. O. JOHN . EDWARDS —I.E. 
R, OF . CHIPPENHAM . 1665 = LINEN DRAPER. 


25. A variety larger, having an ornamented knot between I. F. 


e+ 


26. O. SAMUELL. ELLIOTE = Two swords crossed, and a carbine. 
R. OF . CHIPPENHAM =S.A.E. 1668. [1666. Akerman.] 


27. O. SAMUELL .GAGE.OF = Three doves (Tallow chandlers’ Arms). 
FR, CHIPPENHAM. 1668 =8.E.G. 


28. Akerman gives one dated 1653. 


aie 


28.* O. JOHN. HEORMAN . 1671 + 
R. OF. CHIPPENHAM. 

29. O, HENRY. LAMBERT. IN t 
R. CHIPPENHAM , MERCER = H.8.L, 

30. O. JOHN .STEVENS.OF =1.M.S. ; 
FR. CHIPPENHAM. 1652 =I.M.Ss. 

51. O. JoHN. WEBB = The Tallow chandlers’ Arms. 4 
R. IN. CHEPPENHAM =1,1.W. 

32. O. JOHN . WILLSHEARE. OF = CHIPPENHAM. ; 
R, ANDREW . WILCOX. 1668 = MERCER. 

CLACK. (Parish of Lineham.)! 

33. O. ROBERT.GOODMAN = A pair of scales. i 
R. oF . cLack = A crescent moon. 

34. O. FRANCIS .ROGERS = The Mercers’ Arms. z 
#. OF /cLAck . 1658 = Fi JR. 

COLLINGBOURNE. 

35. O. BARNABAS. RUMSEY = The Grocers’ Arms. z 

R. OF . COLLINGBORNE.B.R. = 1667. 
CORSHAM. 

36. O. WILLIAM . GIBBONS, 

36.* O. RICHARD . BLACKMORE = 1565. 
R. OF . COLLINGBORNE =R.E.B. [From the Rev. W. C. Lukts.] 

37. O. EDW.SALWAY. CLOTHER = A pair of shears. ; 
R, IN. CORSHAM. WILTS = E.K.S. 

38. O. EDITH. AP .DADP . WOODMAN = A still. < 
R&R. MERSER.IN.CORSHEM = D.M.wW. 


CRICKLADE, 


39. O. THOMAS. DEIGHTON = A cross placed on steps. 
R, MERCER. IN. CRICKLAD =T.S.D. 


al- 


) This is not quite certain, as the name of Clack occurs in Yorkshire. Editor. 


——t 


40. 


oe 


42, 


61. 


52. 


55. 


yo 


BS 8S FPSO BS BS BO BS BO Bo BO BS WO WO 


yO 


2S 


0. 


R. 


By Mr. William Boyne, F.S.A. 


. ANTHONY . WORME. 
. CRICKILAD . CARRIER —A.A.W. 


DEVIZES. 


. STEPHEN . BAYLY. oF = A mermaid. 
. DEVIZES . MERCER = S.B. 1668. 


. JOHN. FREY. oF = The Grocers’ Arms. 


THE. DEVISES —=1.F., 


JOHN . FRY. 1664 = An open hand. 
IN . THE. DEVISES = Two pipes crossed. I. F. 


. FRANCIS. GOULDING = A castle. 


IN . ¥°, DEVISE.GROCER = The Grocers’ Arms. 


. EDWARD. HOPE = A ship. 


OF. THE. DEVIZES . 1652 = An anchor. 


JOHN . HAMMOND =—1I.S.H. 
OF . THE . DEVIZES - 1652 = Three clasped books. 


GRACE. NAISH.OF . THE = A castle. 


. DEVIZES. 1652 = Three cloves. 


FRANCIS . PARADICE = The Tallow chandlers’ Arms. 
CHANDLER.IN. Y°. DEVIZES = F.M.P.1669, 


. JOHN . SLADE . GROCER = A sugar-loaf. 


IN . THE. DEVIZES .1668 =I1.5S. 


. RICHARD . SLADE = The Grocers’ Arms. 


IN. THE. DEVIZES .1663 =RB8.S. 


WILLIAM. SOMNER. OF = The Grocers’ Arms. 
THE . DEVIZES. GROCER = W.S. 1652, 


| WILLIAM. STEVENS = The Grocers’ Arms. 


IN . THE. DEVIZES. 1663 = W.A.S. 


RICHARD . WATTON . 1666 = R. w. and two mullets. 


. @ROCER.IN.Y°.DEVIZES = B&B. W- 


. RICHARD - WOTTEN = R.-W. 


GROCER .IN. DEVISES = R. W. 
DOWNTON. 


PHILLIP. ROOKE — A rook. 


. IN. DOWNTON. 1670 = HIS HALF PENY -P. B. 


GREAT BEDWYN 


JOHN - BUSHEL. OF . GREAT = Three doves (Tallow chandlers’ Arms). 


BEDWIN . MERCER. 1669 —1.E.B. 


F 2 


83 


ain 


ale 


ele 


ele 


ble 


bin 


>i 


ele 


le 


ale 


in 


ale 


ole 


die 


bin 


e\~ 


os 


84 


57. 


61. 


62. 


63. 


64. 


65. 


66. 


67. 


68. 


72. 


eel 


oS RO ‘ 


iO WO 


PO RS RO RO RO 


RO RPS PO PS BS 


Wiltshire Tradesman’s Tokens. 


HARNHAM. 
. JOHN . VENABLES. AT. HARNHAM = A shuttle. 
. NEAR. SARUM-16.. = HIS HALFE PENY.1I.A.Y. 
HIGHWORTH. 


RICH. BATSON . HIGHWORTH — R.B. 
EDWARD - FORDER —E.F. 


. LEONARD . BOLL. IN = The Grocers’ Arms. 


HIGHWORTH - GROCER —L. B. 


JOHN . ELTON .IN = A paschal lamb. 
HIGHWORTH =1.c.n. A dog? 


. THO. HARTWELL. OF . HIGHWORTH = A crown. 


THO. HARTWELL - OF - ABINGDON = A lion . 3. 


EDMUND. HIDE.IN. HIworTH = A bear with chain. 4. 
RICH . LEADER. IN. HIworTH = A greyhound running. 


shape. ) 


EDMUND. LEWIS. BRAZEAE = The Armourers’ Arms. 
IN. HIGHWORTH . 1669 = HIS HALF PENY.E.K .L. 


WILLIAM . MATHEW — W.M 
IN . HIGHWORTH . 1659 = A lion rampant. 


THOMAS . OSBORNE = —————Arms. 
OF . HIGHWORTH . 1653 =T.O0. 


JOHN. TOMES = The Grocers’ Arms. 
OF . HyworTH . 1652 =1.T. 


. RICHARD . WILLIAMS = A pair of spectacles. 
. WILLIAM . FRANKLIN . OF. HYWORTH . = W. F. 


HILMARTON. 
ARTHUR . NORMAN. 


. HILMARTIN . 1669. 


KINGSWOOD. 


. EDWARD. TANNER = 1658. 

. IN- KINGS. wooD =E.D.T. 

. THOMAS. WALFORD = The Cloth-workers’ Arms. 
| OF. KINGS. WOOD =T.P.W. 


LAVINGTON. 
JOHN . HAYWARD = A ship. 


. IN. LAVINGTON . 1663 =1 8. 


. ROBERT . HAYWARD = A ship. 
. IN, LAVINGTON . 1668 = 8. H. 


1 Kingswood occurs in several counties. 


lol 


. (Heart 


| 


*\i~ +i- 


ol 


to 


rl 


tole 


= 


el 


el 


ein 


el- 


Coiled 


Be 


ale 


al 


By Mr. William Boyne, F.S.A. 85 


LACOCK, 
- RICHARD. GRIST = A pair of scales. + 
IN. Lacock. 1669 = R.@.G.[ Another: with lion rampant. Akerman] 
LUDGERSHALL. 
(No legend) A castle. 
OF . LUGGASALE . 1665 = w -I. conjoined. 
MAIDEN BRADLEY. 


i 


oe) 


al 


bo 


GEORGE . AUDREY. 
IN . MAIDEN . BRADLEY —G.A. 


JAMES . ISHER = The Grocers’ Arms. 
OF. BRADLEY.! 1669 =1.1. 


MALMSBURY. 


ale 


OWS 


O. EDWARD. BROWNE = A man standing by a still. x 
R. OF . MALMESBERY = FE.M.B. 

O, SAMUELL. CHAPP.IN = Arms obliterated. + 
R, MALMESBERY.1665 =s.M.C. 

O. PHILLIP . EDWARDS = The Tallowchandlers’ Arms. + 
AR, IN. MALMSBURY 1659 = P.M.E. 

O, THOMAS. EVANS, A. MALMSBURY . IN. WILTS. 

O. ELIAS. FERRIS. APOTHECARY = The Apothecaries’ Arms. $ 
R. IN. MALMSBURY. 1669 = HIS. HALF.PENY.E.A.F. 

O, JOHN .GOLDNEY.IN =1I.M.G. z 
R. cLOTHYR . MALMSBURY =1I.M.G. 

O, NICO. JAFFRIS . WOOL = A woolcomb. 7 
RA. MALMESBURY . ABYE = N.M.I. 

O, RICHARD . PLAYER. R. MALMSBURY. 

O. JOHN .SANsSUM = A pump. 4 
i. OF . MALMSBUBY . 166.. =1.1T. 5. 

O, THOS. TANNER. CARTER = A woolpack 4 
R. IN. MALMESBURY =T.0.17. 

O. ROB. THOMAS. OF = A bull. 4 
R, mMatmespury .[(16]64 =R.H.T. 

O, RICH . THORNER.IN = The Grocers’ Arms, t 


MALMESBURY .[16]64 = R.T. 


WILLIAM . WAYTE = The Grocers’ Arms, 
IN. MAMSBURY, 1651 = w.w. 


aiK 


RO 8 


, WALTER. WOODMAN = The Grocers’ Arms, 
CARIER . MALMESBURY = W. M. W. in monogram. 
MARLBOROUGH. 


O. A. MARLBROUGH . FARTHING = A castle. large > 


+ 
R, IN.¥°. COUNTY. OF. WILTS. 1668 = A bull. 
The bull and castle are part of the beurings of the Arms of the Borough of Marlborough. 


el- 


RS 


‘There are several Bradleys in various parts of the country. 
G 


86 Wiltshire Tradesman’s Tokens. 


92. O. JoHN. BAYLY = The Grocers’ Arms. i 
RK. IN.MALBROW =1.N.B. 
93. O. HENRY. COLEMAN = A pair of scales. = 
R, IN. MARLBOROUGH .1657 =H.E.C. 
94, O, WILLIAM. CRABBE = A man making candles. 3 
R, OF, MALLBROUGH.. 1668 =W.M.C. 
95. O. EDWARD. DELAMAINE = Crest; a hand. &.D. t 
R. or . MARLBOROW = 1665. 
96. O. JOHN. HAMMOND. oF = A clasped book. “* 
AR. MARLBOROUGH .[16]66 =1.K.H. 
97. O. THOMAS. KEENE = Three doves. = 
R. IN. MARLEBROUGH = T.K. 1652. 
98, O. JOHN . MORGAN. 1656 = The Grocers’ Arms. + 
R, AT, MALBURRBOW —1.M. 
99. O. JANE. PEARCE = The Ironmongers’ Arms. < 
R, IN. MARLBOROW =1.P. 
100. O, WILLIAM. PUREUR. PINN = The Pinners’ Arms. 3 
R. MAKER, IN.MARLRBOW = W.D.P. 
101. O. THOMAS .SHIPPERE = The Mercers’ Arms. t 
R, IN. MARLBOROUGH =T.A.S. 
102. O. RICHARD. SHIPRE = The Salter’s Arms. 3 
R. OF . MOULBROUGH =R.S. 
103, O. OLIVER. SHROPSHIRE = An angel. a 
R, IN. MARLBROUGH . 1665 =0.8., 
104. O. JEREMIAH . SLOPER = A sugar-loaf. L 
R. IN. MARLBROUGH =1.E.S. 
105. O. JOHN. SMITH .IN = Two tobacco-pipes crossed ; 
R, oF. MARLBROUGH . 1665 =1.K.S, 
MELKSHAM. 
106. O. A.A.OF,MELKESHAM = The Mercers’ Arms. [Ambrose Awdry] { 
R.1.A.0F, STEEPLE. ASHTON = 1665. [John Awdry] 
[Another dated 1668, And one, RICHARD. LUKEY. Akerman.) 
MERE. 
107, O. THOMAS. GAMBLIN 1665. i 
RR, IN. MEERE =T.G. 
108. O, RICHARD. PITMAN = A man making candles. i 
FR. OF. MEERE.166.. =F .T. P. 
109. O. ROBERT. PITTMAN. OF = HIS. HALFE. PENNY, 4 
R. MEERE . DRAPER. 1668 = The Drapers’ Arms. 
110. O. witLram. RogeERs A horse ambling. i 


O 
R. IN. MEERE. 1666 = W.R. conjoined. 


111. 


112. 


113. 


114. 


115. 


116. 


We 
118. 
119. 


120. 


O. 


Eee) 


ORO RO RS 


. 


HO RO 


RS 


RS 


SBS 


ROR 


By Mr. Wiiliam Boyne, F.S.A. 


PURTON. 
JOHN . EARMER =1.F.E. 


. OF. PYRTON . 1668 = HIS. HALF. PENY. 
. JOHN. FARMAR. 1656 = A roll of tobacco. 


IN. PYRTON = The Grocers’ Arms. 


RAMSBURY. 


JOHN .sTON. oF = A man making candles. 
RAMSBURY . 1655 =1.M.S. 


WILLIAM. WHITE = The Haberdashers’ Arms. 
IN . RAMSBERY = W.R. W. 


ROLLSTONE. (Near Amesbury.) 
JAMES . SWAN . IN = The Grocers’ Arms. 


. ROLSTON . GROCER = 1[.S, 


SALISBURY. 


FOR. THE. MAIOR. OF. THE. 1652 = A double-headed eagle dis- 
R, citTy . oF. NEW. SARUM = Arms of the City; four bars. 


IN. SAROM. 1664 =G@.4A.C. 


HENRY. COLE = A Saracen’s head. 
OF .SARUM .1655 = H.C. 


WILLIAM . COURTNEY . BOOK = Two angels supporting an open book. 


BINDER .IN.SARUM. 1670 = HALF. PENY. 


THOMAS. CUTLER . JUNIOR = HALF. PENY. 
IN. SARUM. 1666 =T.T1.¢. 


THOMAS. CUTLER. SENIOR — HIS. HALF. PENY 
In. SARUM. 1666 = Two snakes entwined. T.c. 


CHISTOPHER. EGG = The Ironmongers’ Arms. 
IN . SARUM = C.E. 


GODDERD . ELLIOT. IN = Arms of the Elliot family ; a fesse. 


SARUM . GROCER. 1666 = The Grocers’ Arms. 


IN .SARUM. 1667 =G.E.F. 
HIS . HALFE, PENNY = Two snakes entwined. 


EDWARD. FAULCONER = The Skinners’ Arms. 
IN. NEW. SARUM =E.M.F. 


EDWARD . FRIPP = Arms, 
IN. SARUM. 1668 = HIS. HALF. PENY. 


JOHN . GILBERT. AT. THE = A bell. 
BELL’. IN. NEW. SARUM —I1.H. 4G. 


GEORGE. GODFERY = A rat, 
In, sAkuM. 1659 =a@.a, 


87 


ole 


ein 


ein 


Sie 


el 


[played. 


This is curious in having a double-headed eagle for Mint-mark on both sides; on other pieces, 
these marks are usually stars, mullets, cinquefoils, etc., which are not worth describing. 


. GEORGE . CLEMENS = A dragon. 


Ie ei- e\~ eH al- tol— to|- tom Sie rary 


Do Led 


88 


129, 
130, 
131. 
132. 
133. 
134, 


135, 


139. 
140, 


141. 


148. 


149. 


SRO RO RS AS 


HORS BORO BO B 


. 


HORRORS RO RS 


WO RO 


S 


vO 8 


Wiltshire Tradesman’s Tokens. 


. GEORGE , GODFERY = A rat. 


RAT. KILR.IN. SARUM —G.@G. 


ROGER. GODFREY. IN = A knife and cleaver. 
NEW. SARUM. 1666 = B.E.G, 


JOHN . HALE = A lion rampant. 
GROCER. IN .SARUM =I. 4H. 


JOHN .HANCOCK.IN. NEW —I.4H. 
SARUM . APOTHECARY = The bust of a Turk. 


NICHOLAS. HASKOLL . 1658 = The Ironmongers’ Arms. 
IRONMUNGER , IN. SARUM = N. H, conjoined. 


THOMAS . HAYTOR. OF . SARUM == The Cordwainers’ Arms. 
HIS, HALFE. PENY. 1666 =T.4H, 


JONATHAN. HILL. 1668 = HIs. HALFE. PENY. 
IN .SARUM =1.E.4H. 


WILLIAM . JOYCE = A camel couchant. 

IN. SARUM. 1652 = W.I. 

CHRISTOPHER . LEGG = The Ironmongers’ Arms. 
IN , SARUM —C.L. 

EDWARD . LISTER . IN. SARUM = The Sun. 

AT. WINCHESTER . GATE = HIS. HALF. PENY. 


EDMOND . MACKS = A mitre. 
OF .SARUM = E. M. 


FRANCIS. MANNINGE = A goat. 
IN. SARUM. 1664 =F.I.M. 


EDWARD. MASON = A naked boy. 
...... SARUM. 1658 = E.E.M. 


HENRY . MATTERSHAW = A cook’s knife. 
IN. SARUM. COOKE. 58 = H.P.M. 


RICHARD . MINIFIE = The Skinners’ Arms. 
IN. SALSBURY = RB. M. 


THOMAS. PARISH .IN=1.D.P. 
CHEESE . CROSE. SARUM = The Grocers’ Arms. 


GEORGE. PAGE. GRocER = A dove with olive-branch. 
IN. SARUM. 1656 =@.K.P, 


EDWARD . PENNY. IN = The Butchers’ Arms. 
SARUME . 1671 = HIS. 3.. TOKEN. 


CHARLES . PHELPS . oF = The Skinners’ Arms. 
SARUM .CONFECTIONER =C.S.P., 


I. POORE.AT. BARNETS = A cross calvary. 
CROSS. IN. SARUM =1.8S.P. 


. VAUGHAN . RICHARDSON = A dolphin. 
, KATHERINE . STR. IN. SARUM = V-U.-R. 1668. 


Hl ein G\- Rin ale ah ly el ein 


nie 


al he tom el ie a\- el al to|s al 


el 


By Mr. William Boyne, F-S.A. 89 


iSite 


SIMON . ROLFE = Arms of the Rolfe family; three ravens. Crest; 
IN. SARUM, 1666 = HIS. HALF, PENY. [on a helmet a raven. 


aj 


ARTHER . SANDERS = A squirrel. 
OF . SARUM, 1656 = 4.58. 


ain 


JOSEPH . SAXTON = St. George and the dragon. 
IN . SALSBURY =1.8, conjoined. 


This and Minifie’s are the only Tokens where the City is called SatsBury. 


. THOMAS ..SHERGOLD . OF. SARUM — A crown. 
. HIS. HALFE. PENNY . 1666 =T.5. 


tole 


a 


O 
R 
O, CHRIS . WILLMOTT = A lamb. 
R, IN. SARUM. 1666 c. w. 

6) 


“doe 8 Ae Wervaiasuasie R., OF . SALISBURY. 
SHALBOURN. 


=i 


to|= 


O. JOHN . BRADILL, LENARD . LEE = A bear. 
R. IN. SHLATBOURN, [16]71 = 3 


STEEPLE ASHTON. 


O. ROB. JFEFREYES = A church 
RF, sTEPLE . ASHTON =R.M.1I. [See Melksham.] 


STRATTON (St. Margaret). 


alm 


O. JOHN. CANN = The Mercers’ Arms. 
R. OF . STRATTON . 1652 =1.C. 


a> 


There are places named Stratton in several counties. 


SWINDON. 


O, WILLIAM. HEATH = W.E, t 
R, IN. SWINDON = W.E. 

O, HENRY . MUNDAY . CHANDLER = The Grocers’ and Tallowchandlers’ 4 
R, HIS. HALF. PENY.IN. SWINDON = H. M. 1669. [Arms. 

O. HENERY . RESTAL = Two tobacco-pipes crossed. i 
R, IN. SWINDON . 1656 = Three sugar-loaves. 

O, HENERY . RESTALL = Two pipes crossed. 1 
R., IN .swinvon . 1664 = Two pipes crossed. 

O, Joun .smitH = The Bakers’ Arms, - 
R. In. swronpon . 1664 =1.¢.8. 

O, WILLIAM . WEBB = Two pipes crossed. 4 
R, oF . SWINDON . 1669 = HIS, HALF . PENY.W.W. 

O. AMOS. WILKINS .IN = The Grocers’ Arms. } 
ZR, SWINDON . IN. WILKSHER = A.W. 

O, AMOS. WILKINS .AT = The Mercers’ Arms, 

R. SWINDON. IN. WILTS = A.M.W. 


H 


90 Wiltshire Tradesman’s Tokens. 


TINHEAD ( Parish of Edington). 


166. O. JOHN. BERRY. OF = The Mercers’ Arms. 4 

RK. TINHEAD. 1668=1.A.B. 
TROWBRIDGE. 

167. O, TROWBRIDG . IN. WILTIS = B.D. [ probably Edward Davis, Ed.] + 
A, TROWBRIDGE. IN. WILTIS = H.D. 

168. O. ROBERT. DARCKE. 1669 = An anchor. R.D. 3 
R. IN. TURBRIDGE . IN = WILLTS. 

169, O. WILLIAM .sMITH = Two pipes crossed. 3 
R. IN. TRUBRIDGE = W.S. 

170. A variety with TUB. BRIDGE as the name of the town. z 

171. Another reading TREUBRIDGE. = 

172. O. ROBERT. WITCHELL = A fleur-de-lys. nS 
R. IN. TROWBRIDGE = RB. W. 

WARMINSTER. 

173. O. JOHN. BUcCHER = A heart crowned, + 
RK, IN. WARMISTER. 1651 =1.B. 

174, O. JAMES. ELIATT = An open hand. i 
R. oF . WARMISTER = A cock, 

175. O. JOHN. SLADE. 1667 =A heart. 3 
R, IN. WARMISTER = 1.5. 

176. O. THOMAS. TOOMER = A dove with olive-branch. oF 
RA. OF. WARMESTER, 1651 = 17.1. 

WESTBURY. 

177. O. WILLIAM. COCKELL.OF. WEST = The Merchant Tailor’s Arms, x 
RK. BURY .COUNTY .IN. WILTS = W.S.C, [16]58. 

178. O. THOMAS. HANCOCKE = A cock. i 
R. IN. WESTBURY . 1656 = A hand. 

179. O. WALTER. HAYNES = The Grocers’ Arms. 3 
R. OF . WESTBURY = W.H. 

180. O. JoHN.MATRAVERS.IN = A fleur-de-lys. = 
A. WESTBURY .1669 =1.E.M. 

181. O. FRANCIS, PASHENT = The Tallowchandlers’ Arms. i 
AR. OF . WESTBURY . 1668 =F.K.P. 

WESTPORT [Malmsbury]. 
182. O. GILES. HOONE. AT. THE = Three cups. m4 


yO 


. IN. WEESTPUT —G.I.H. 


By Mr. William Boyne, F-S.A. 91 
WILTON. 


STEPHEN . BRASSIER. 1667 =S.H.B. 4 
WILLTON . IN. WILTSHEERE = HIS. HALFE, PENY. 


THOMAS . CLARK = The Weavers’ Arms. = 
OF. WILTON . 1664 =T.€¢. 


ole 


IN. WILTON . 1666 —@.H. 
HIS . HALFE . PENNY = Two swords in saltire, a fleur-de-lys in each 


quarter, 


9S BO RO 


WILLIAM . NEWMAN .IN = A pair of shears. z 
WILTON . HIS. HALFE. PENY = w. N - 1667. 


aie 


. FRANCIS. WACE. OF = Two swords in saltire. 
. WILTON . 1658 = Arms; three crowns. 


WOOTTON BASSET, 


. GABRIEL. ARMAN = The Mercers’ Arms. 
. IN. WHETEN . BASETT = G.E.A. 


BO RS 
er 


in 


(6) 
R 
O. JOHN . KNIGHTON = A crown. 
R. IN . WOOTTON . BASSETT I.I. K. 
A 


to a 


variety has on the Obverse two keys crossed. 
WRAXHALL (South ). 


O. VALENTINE. STEVENS = The Butchers’ Arms. 
R. IN.SOUTH . WRAXILL = V.M.S. 


a 


O. JOSEPH . STONE. 1667 = A fleur-de-lys. 
R. IN. SOUTH. WREXSELL = S8.1.M. 


H 2 


92 


Che Flora of Wiltshire: 
COMPRISING THE 
Flowering Plants and Ferns indigenons to the County ; 
By Tuomas BrueEs Frower, M.R.C.S., F.L.S., &e., &e. 
No. IV. 


ORDER. BERBERIDACEH. (VENT.) 
Berserts, (Linn.) BarBerry, 
Linn. Cl. vi. Ord. i. 

Name, Berberys, being the Arabic word used for this plant by 
Averroes, but some writers derive the name from the Greek berberi, 
signifying a shell, from the leaves of the common species having a 
hollow surface. 

1. “B. Vulgaris’? (Linn.) common Barberry, Pipperidge bush. 
Engl. Bot. t. 49. Reich. Icones iii. 4486. 

Locality. Hedges and thickets, but not common in the county. 
Sh. Fl. May and June. Fr. September. Area, * 2. 3. 4. 5. 

South Division. 

2. South Middle District, “Side of a lane leading from Old Sarum 
to Stratford,” Dr. Maton, Hatcher’s Hist. of Salisbury. (This station 
is now destroyed.) ‘‘Hedges near Market Lavington,” Wr. Coward. 
“Drew’s Pond, Devizes,” Miss Cunnington. 

3. South-west District, “ Britford,” Major Smith. 

North Division. 

4. North-west District, “Chippenham,” Dr. R. C. Alexander Prior 
and Mr. C. E. Broome. “ Kington St. Michael, in plenty,” Miss 
Ruck. “Minety; truly wild,” Mr. Perry Keene, (Miss Ruck in litt.) 
“Indigenous near Bradford,” Flora Bath. 


1 Aubrey in his Natural History of Wiltshire, page 57, gives the following 
locality for the berberry. ‘‘In the old hedges which are the boundes, between the 
lands of Priory St. Marie, juxta Kington St. Michael, and the West field which 
belonged to the Lord Abbot of Glastonbury, are yet remaining a great number 
ot berberry trees, which I suppose the nunnes made use of for confections, and 
they taught the young ladies that were educated there such arts. In those days 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 93 


5. North-east District, Hedges near Purton. 

Notwithstanding the above authorities, I fear the barberry is not 
truly indigenous in the county. My own observations would lead 
me to consider it a naturalized species, and from its frequently be- 
ing planted in gardens it is difficult to arrive at any satisfactory 
conclusion. In Somerset, and throughout the West of England 
competent observers consider it introduced. 

The barberry ranges over the greater part of Europe and tem- 
perate Asia, to the Himalaya: but owing to its cultivation the real 
limits of its area cannot be satisfactorily ascertained. The rate of 
growth when the shrub is young is rapid, and in consequence in 
five or six years it will attain the height of seven or eight feet, and 
will thrive for two or three centuries without increasing much in 
size. The leaves are agreeably acid, and according to Gerarde were 
much used in his time as a salad. 

The berries are so acid that birds seldom touch them. With 
sugar they form an agreeable refreshing preserve, their acid being 
the malic. They are also made into jelly, which is not only deli- 
cious to the taste, but extremely wholesome. In gardens it is cul- 
tivated as a fruit tree, or fruit shrub, and the variety, or rather 
variation, in which the seeds are said to be wanting, and that in 
which the fruit is sweet, are recommended in preference. The stem 
and bark of the barberry are excessively astringent, and are em- 
ployed for that reason in the arts. The late Prof. Royle informed 
me that the Jukion indikon of Dioscorides was a barberry. To this 
day an extract of the root, stem, and branches of Indian barberries 
is employed in cases of Ophthalmia with much advantage. The 
shrub makes an excellent hedge, but there exists a prejudice against 
it among agriculturists, from its supposed influence in producing 
blight or mildew on the corn adjoining. This prejudice is of 
unknown antiquity, but it is now generally considered to be errone- 
ous. A small parasitical fungus “ Acidium berberides,” (Pers.) is 
frequently observed on the leaves, and some have supposed that it 


there were not schools for young ladies as now, but they were educated at reli- 
‘gious houses.” The Rey. Canon Jackson informs me, that the berberry still 
continues to grow in the hedges alluded to by Aubrey. TT. B. F. 


94 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


generates the dust, which, carried from the bush by winds, gives 
rise to the minute fungus which is the cause of the rust in wheat. 
This opinion is groundless, for the rust in corn is occasioned by 
the growth of ‘ Puccinia graminis,” (Pers.) a very different plant 
from that which grows on the leaves of the barberry. There is 
however another parasite still more common on the leaves of this 
shrub than the “cidium,” and that is the “Erysiphe penicellata,”’ 
(Schlecht) or Barberry Mildew. This frequently covers the whole 
surface of the leaves with a thin white substance, which, when ex- 
amined with a microscope, appears to consist of very delicate forked 
filaments, with very minute dark coloured globular bodies inter- 
spersed amongst them. Whether this has any influence in causing 
the mildew in corn growing in its neighbourhood, Cryptogamic 
Botanists are as yet undecided. 

The barberry affords a good example of leaves acquiring the con- 
dition of spines from their parenchyma being absorbed, and the 
ribs becoming indurated, and afterwards in their axil spring up 
leaves of the ordinary kind. The flowers yellow, in elegant droop- 
ing racemes, consist of three sets of floral envelopes, (which are 
modified leaves,!) containing six stamens highly curious in their 
formation opposite the petals? which surround a single pistil. 
When first expanded the stamens are inclined back upon the petals; 
on the filaments being touched near their base, they immediately 
start forward towards the pistil so that the anther is brought into 
contact with the stigma. If the anther be fully matured it is burst 
by the violence of the motion, and the pollen projected on the stig- 
ma. The stamens after a short time resume their original position, 
and may be again stimulated. If we examine more minutely this 
beautiful contrivance, it will be found that the stamen is capable 
of moving towards the pistil by a hinge-like motion, and that the 
filament is endowed with an exquisite irritability, so that it is 


1The idea that the leaf is the type of all the floral organs, originated with 
Linneus. A clearer enunciation of this theory, and a fuller development of the 
whole were made by Goethe. 

2 This is an apparent exception to the truth of that general and important law 
of the aliernate disposition of vegetable organs. A more detailed account of 
this beautiful arrangement, will be given in the order Primulacee, 


Si, 


: 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 95 


sensible to the contact of extraneous substances, which thus causes 
the stamen to approach the pistil. This is not the result of elasti- 
city, for the stamen is not forcibly detained in contact with the 
floral envelopes, but it is a truly vital act, the result of the operation 
of an organic sensation. This organic sensibility is of a similar 
kind to that by which the heart of an animal is sensible of the pre- 
sence of the blood which it contains, and by which it is stimulated 
to contract in order to effect its expulsion. The absence of favour- 
able mechanical arrangements is therefore compensated by the pre- 
sence of an extraordinary vital power. The probability of the irri- 
table stamen being touched by foreign substances, would however 
have been too remote to serve the economy of the plant. This 
defect is therefore remedied by the contraction of the stamen being 
ensured through the agency of insects, which visiting the flower, 
touch the irritable filaments, and thus cause the stamen to arise. 
It is to be observed, that the visit of the insect to the barberry does 
not depend on chance, but is necessary for purposes in its own econ- 
omy, and thus the insect creation is indissolubly connected with 
that of vegetation, the subserviency of actions affording us demon- 
strative proof of the unity of design in the various departments of 
the organic creation. At the base of each petal, there are two 
orange coloured glands, which secrete a sweet juice, and it is to 
gather this nectareous fluid that the insect visits the flower. The 
filament of each stamen, when it is expanded, lies between these 
two glands; and the irritability is confined to the part of the fila- 
ment which thus corresponds to their situation. The contraction 
of the stamen is therefore ensured by the attempts of the insect to 
procure the fluid, which exuding from the contiguous glands, mois- 
tens the seat of irritability in the filament. Again, if with all 
these contrivances the anthers had opened as in other flowers, either 
by longitudinal slits on their inner or outer surface, or by pores at 
the very summit, the fertilization of the seed would scarcely have 
been effected, for the absorbing surface of the stigma is not as in 
other instances situated at the extremity of the pistil, but occupies 
the circumference of the circular disk, by which it is terminated. 
This is the only part which is moistened with the glutenous secre- 


96 - The Flora of Wiltshire. 


tion, serving to retain the pollen which is applied to the part, and 
not thrown upon it by the starting up of the stamens, as is generally 
supposed. The motion of the stamens is not sufficiently powerful 
to throw the pollen forwards, as the pollen instead of being a fine 
dry powder, is in the barberry somewhat tenacious, and adheres to 
the two lateral valves by which the anther cpens. As the circum- 
ference of the disk which terminates the pistil is, in the barberry, 
the absorbing surface, it is obvious that the mere falling down of 
the pollen from an anther, situated above it, would have been a 
somewhat imperfect mode of arrangement, while it becomes neces- 
sary that the pollen should rather be applied to the moistened mar- 
gin from an extended surface. Hence the necessity for the lateral 
valves, which completely effect this latter purpose: hence also the 
necessity for the tenaceous pollen, the moveable stamens, the irrit- 
able filaments, the nectariferous glands, the organization, and 
instincts of the insect, by the co-operation of which all the appar- 
ent disadvantages are fully compensated. In pursuing the study 
of nature, we are constantly reminded that every event or action, 
however trivial it may appear, is intimately connected with nume- 
rous others, whose difficulties it serves to explain, and from whose 
connection it derives additional importance. In the present instance 
we see that the visit of the insect to the flower is not only necessary 
for its own purposes, but likewise for those of the plant; whilst the 
structure of the flower has especial reference to the instincts of the 
insect, by which the proper performance of the functions of both 
is ensured. 
ORDER. NYMPHAIACEA. (DE CAND.) 
Nympeuma (Linn.) Warer Lity. 
lann.- Cl. xun.Ords as? 

Name. (Gr.) Numphaia; from Numphe, a Water Nymph, so cal- 
led from its inhabiting the waters, as the nymphs or naiads were 
poetically supposed to do, 

1. “N. alba,” (Linn.) Great White Water Lily. Water rose, 
Water can, Can dock. Fngl. Bot. ¢. 160. Reich. Icones, vii. 67. 

Locality. In ponds and slow rivers, but oftener planted. Rare 
in the county. P. FV. June, July, August. Area. * 2. 3. 4. * 


; By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 97 


South Division. 

2. South Middle District, “In the river Avon near Stratford,” 
Dr. Maton, Hatcher’s Hist. of Salisbury. 

3. South-west District, “Moat at Britford,” Major Smith. “In 
abundance in the river at Bemerton,”’ Mrs. Bluckmore, Mr. J. Hus- 
sey, in litt. 1859. 

North Division. 

4. North-west District, “In the river at Lacock,” Dr. R. C. Alex- 
ander Prior. ‘In the neighbourhood of Malmesbury,” Miss Ruck. 

Introduced in all the above localities; nor have I observed this 
magnificent species truly wild nearer the county than Hants, where, 
in the New Forest, it may be observed spreading its broad leaves 
over the surface of the water in almost every deep ditch, and ex- 
panding its delicate and pure white petals in great abundance and 
beauty. 

This species may be occasionally seen with smaller flowers, when 
it is the 8. minor (Bresl), Duby Bot. 20. Reich. Icones t. 68, f. 118. 
This form was observed in my botanical wanderings during the 
past summer (1858), through the romantic Pass of Llanberis, in 
the lower lake, and the adjacent inundated meadows by the side of 
the turnpike road. The flower being only half the size of “N. 
alba,” (Linn.) in all their parts. The roots of the water lily have 
a bitter astringent taste, they are used in Ireland, in the Highlands 
of Scotland, and in the Island of Jura, for dyeing. They were 
formerly employed medicinally as astringents, but their use is now 
become obsolete. From its leaves oxygen gas is copiously evolved 
in bubbles, and the Chinese carp (‘Cyprinus auratus,” Linn.) is 


_ said to delight in the shade of its expansive foliage. 


Nournar, (Sm.) 


Linn. Cl. xiii. Ord. i. 
Name. From naufar, or nyloufar, the Arabic name of Nympheea. 
1. “N. lutea.” (Smith.) Yellow Water lily, Yellow Water can, 
Brandy bottles. Engl. Bot. t. 159. Reich. Icones, vii. 63. 
Locality. Rivers and slow streams, truly wild in the county. P. 
Fl, Sune, July. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4, 5, 


98 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


South Division. 

1. South-east District, “In the river above Salisbury, at Strat- 
ford, Durnford, and Woodford,” Mr. James Hussey. “‘ Amesbury,” 
Dr. Southby. 

2. South Middle District, Canal and Basins in the neighbourhood 
of Devizes. ‘“ Westbury,” rs. Overbury. ‘ Heytesbury,” Jr. 
Rowden. 

8. South-west District, “ Neighbourhood of Warminster,” ir. 
Wheeler. 

North Division. 

4. North-west District, River Avon at Malmesbury, Christian 
Malford, Chippenham, Melksham, Whaddon, and Bradford. 

5.. North-east District, Canal and Brooks at Swindon, Purton, 
and Marden. 

More distributed through the Northern than the Southern dis- 
tricts of Wilts, and according to the majority of our local floras, 
more frequent in England than “N. adba,” (Linn.) while the latter 
possesses a rather more horizontal area. It differs from the genus 
“ Nymphea” in the petals and stamens, being inserted into a disk 
at the base of the germen, not into one which surrounds and ad- 
heres to the side of it: and the seed vessel when ripe bursts irregu- 
larly, not dissolving away into a mass of pulp like “N. a/ba,” (Linn.) 
The flowers are about two inches wide, cupped all over, of a golden 
yellow, with the scent of brandy or ratifia. Fruit large, smooth, 
shaped like a bottle or flagon, whence they are called brandy-bot- 
tles in some places. The white and yellow water lilies may readily 
be distinguished when not in flower by their leaves. In “N. alba, 
(Linn.) the leaf is rounded ovate usually purplish beneath, the 
lobes at the base are almost parallel, and the leaf stalk is eylindri- 
cal. In “N. /utea’ (Sm.) the leaves are ovate pointed, not rownded 
at the apex, as is the case in those of the white lily: the basal 
lobes are slightly divergent, and the leaf stalk is angular, especially 
in the upper part. 

The elegance and chaste beauty of the flowers of the water lily 
tribe, which float like brilliant gems upon the mirrored surface of 
the placid waters, have ever caused them to be objects of general 


all 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 99 


interest, while the extraordinary magnitude of some species, the 
curious circumstances connected with the habits of others, the im- 
portant peculiarities of their structure, and the obscurity which 


until lately has hung over their true systematic relations, have 


contributed to make them also favourites with the scientific botan- 
ist. It is only within a recent period that we have become ac- 
quainted with the most magnificent species of the “‘ Vympheacee,” 
which was discovered in the still waters or Igaripes of tropical 
Awerica, especially in Guiana, and in the tributaries of the Amazon 
by Sir Robert H. Schomburgh, the eminent traveller sent out by 
the London Geographical Society to investigate the geography and 
natural productions of that region. According to this botanist, 
“The flower is from twelve to fifteen inches in diameter, consisting 
of upwards of a hundred petals passing in alternate tints from pure 
white to rose and pink. When the flower first opens, it is white 
with pink in the middle, which spreads over the whole flower as it 
advances in age, and it is generally found the next day entirely of 
a pink colour. The calyx is four-leaved, each leaf being upwards 
of seven inches in length, and three inches in breadth. The stem 
of the flower is one inch thick near the calyx, and is studded with 
sharp elastic prickles about three quarters of an inch long. The 
leaves which float on the surface of the water are somewhat circu- 
lar, of a light green on the upper surface, and a bright crimson 
beneath, from five feet to six feet five inches in diameter. They 
are not simply flat, like the leaves of our water lilies, but are fur- 


- nished with an upright rim from three to five and a half inches 


deep surrounding the margin, and giving the leaf the appearance 
of a large salver. The stalk is inserted into the under surface of 
the leaf near to its centre, from which radiate eight large prominent 
veins, nearly an inch in elevation, branching towards the circum- 
ference, and connected by intermediate raised bands, at right 
angles, giving the whole an areolated structure, similar to a gigan- 
tic spider’s net. These reticulated elevations, as well as the leaf 


_ stalk itself, are covered with long elastic prickles, like those with 
which the flower is supplied. The upper surface of the leaf is 


100 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


marked in an areolated manner, by the projections of the promi- 
nent branchings on the under surface.” 

One purpose served by this elevated reticulated venation, is the 
buoyancy which is communicated to the leaf from the large air- 
cells which pervade the leaf stalk, and its numerous branchings. 
Sir Robert H. Schomburgh says, that “many parts of the smooth 
water were covered by these gigantic leaves, and studded with the 
magnificent flowers, which in addition to their other attractions, are 
sweet scented.’”’ This truly superb floral Titan, forms the type of 
a new genus, which (by permission of Her present Majesty) is 
called Victoria, to which the appropriate specific appellation regia 
has been added. The “ Victoria regia’ certainly well deserves its 
characteristic name from its magnitude, its elegance of form, its 
brilliant colouring, and delicious fragrance.?2 The Nympheacee 
exhibit an interesting instance of the organic sensibility of the ve- 
getable organs, manifested by the action of heat and light. Other 
plants, as is well known, expand and close their flowers on the al- 
ternate approach of day and night. For example, ‘‘ Papaver nudi- 
caule”’ (Linn.), “ Sonchus oleraceus*’ (Linn.), “ Anagallis arvensis” 
(Linn.), ‘“ Calendula arvensis”’ (Linn.), “ Ornithogalum umbellatum” 
(Linn.), ‘ Silene noctiflora”’ (Linn.), &c., &c., but the flowers of the 
water lily tribe, in addition to this common habit, are elevated 
above or buried beneath the surface of the water on similar occa- 
sions. This curious circumstance appears to have been very early 
observed by the ancient naturalists; for Theophrastus describing 
the Egyptian Lotus (believed by botanists to be ‘ Nelumbium speci- 
osum,”) says ‘‘The leaves of the flowers (petals) at sunset fold them- 


‘1 For a history of this remarkable aquatic, see Botanical Magazine for 1847, 
tab. 4275—4278, and for a more full account, see ‘‘ Figures and Description of 
the Victoria Water Lily,” by Sir William Hooker, published by Messrs. Reeve, 
in Imperial folio. 

2 On a recent visit to the Conservatories at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew, 
this splendid plant was in full perfection, with its enormous leaves and flowers, 
which has recently been the object of somuch attention; other aquatics scarcely 
less interesting were observed, viz., the ‘‘ Nelumbium speciosum,” supposed to 
be the sacred Egyptian Bean, found throughout the East Indies, but no longer 
in Egypt; the ‘“‘ Nymphea cerulea,” and the crimson ‘‘N, Cavendishi,” illus- 
trating the brillianecy and variety of colour in this beautiful order, 


“4 ee aoe 


~~ ~agy 


PS en ree 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 101 


selves together, covering the seed vessel. At sunrise they expand, 
and rise above the water. . . . It is reported that in the 
Euphrates, the flowers keep sinking in the water till midnight, 
when they are so deep as to be out of reach of the hand, but to- 
wards morning they return, and still more as the day advances; 
at sunrise they are already above the surface, and expanded; after- 
wards they rise high above the.water.” Pliny repeats the same ac- 
count,and Prosper Alpinus has the following passage: “The celebra- 
ted stories of the Lotus turning to the Sun, closing its flowers, and 
sinking under water at night, and rising again in the morning, are 
conformable to what everybody has observed in the ‘Nymphea. 
Sir James Smith, from whom the above quotations are taken, con- 
firms from his own experience the report of Linnzeus, who (Flora 
Suecica) describes “ Vymphea alba,” as “closing its flowers in the 
afternoon, and laying them down on the surface of the water till 
morning, when it rises and expands them, often in a bright day to 
several inches above the water.” Sir James Smith observes, that 
the veracity of Theophrastus has been impeached, and defends the 
truth of his narrative, not only on account of his character as ‘“‘the 
most faithful and philosophical botanist of antiquity,” but also 
from the actual occurrence of the same phenomenon (though indeed 
in a minor degree) in “ Nymphea alba,” believing that it is suffici- 
ent to render Theophrastus’s account exceedingly probable, when 
we recollect that the circumstances, related in the letter, are de- 
scribed as taking place in a country where the sun has so much 
more power; to which he might also have added, and where there 
exists so much greater an intensity of the solar light. The causes 
of the motions as affecting the flowers of the Nympheacee, as far 
at least as can be ascertained by observing the circumstances 
under which these motions take place, will be found exceedingly 
interesting, when viewed in all their bearings. They are indeed 


299 


of a more complex nature than appears on a merely superficial ex- 
amination. It is usual to consider the increased temperature con- 
sequent on the return of day, to be the chief agent in effecting the 
periodic motion. Some of the more recent German physiologists are 
disposed to think otherwise, and to attribute the first step in the 


102 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


process to the influence of the light alone, the combined action of 
heat with light not being exerted till the flower has emerged from 
the water. Again, the mode in which the plant is affected by the 
operative agent has not been fully or correctly explained. I shall 
therefore endeavour to show that light and heat acting at first 
separately, and afterwards conjointly, produce the different stages of 
elevation, not by primarily affecting the peduncle with the flower, 
but by acting primarily on the flower alone: the peduncle being 
affected secondarily, only by means of that vital sympathy which 
most contiguous organic structures have with each other. Ist. The 
water beneath which the flower reposes in the early morning, being 
a bad conductor of caloric in a downward direction, intercepts the 
transmission of the calorific portion of the solar rays. The light 
above then in any considerable degree penetrates the translucent 
fluid, to the flower; and occasions not only the commencement of 
the motion, but its continuance upwards till the flower emerges 
above the surface, when its full expansion and further elevation are 
effected by the combined influence of the heat and light. This ex- 
planation is rendered more probable from the circumstance that the 
flower emerges from its watery asylum at an early period in the 
morning, before the water could have been affected in any consi- 
derable degree by the solar heat. 2nd. That the ascent of the flower 
is caused by the action of the peduncle, whose motion results, not 
from the direct influence of the light upon itself, but by sympathy 
with the flower which it supports, is also rendered probable from 
the circumstance that these periodic motions cease, as soon as fer- 
tilization of the ovules or immature seeds has taken place, at which 
time the petals wither, and the germen descends to the bottom, 
there to remain permanently for the ripening of the seeds. Now 
if the stalk had been in the first instance sensible to the direct ac- 
tion of the luciferous rays, we might expect such sensibility to con- 
tinue independent of the state of the floral organs. It would appear 
therefore that the cessation of motion of the peduncle after impreg- 
nation, is indicative of its dependance on the organic sensibility of 
the flower. It can scarcely be said that the elevated germen de- 
scends finally, in consequence of the loss of the buoyant apparatus 


ee ee 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 103 


of the floral organs, or from the increased size and weight of 
the germen itself; because the former when in perfection did not 
interfere with the nocturnal demersion, and the latter is scarcely 
equal to the weight of the entire flower, which nevertheless had 
hitherto continued to perform its periodic motions. And lastly, 
because from the circumstance of the flower having been daily ele- 
vated and supported several inches above the surface of the water, 
the buoyancy of the floral organs could have contributed nothing 
to the effect in question. The fertilization of the ovules being 
effected, which can only take place in the air, the petals decay and 
separate, and the germen is deposited at the bottom to ripen its 
seeds, which are ultimately dispersed in the mud by the rupture 
or dissolution of the germen itself. From the above considerations, 
and others which may be brought to bear upon the subject, it may 
be concluded that the motions of the flower stalk are determined 
by the increased vital sensibility of the floral organs, consequent 
upon the process of fertilization. 

Again the “Nympheacee”’ are very interesting, as affording a 
good example of the mutual relationship and dependence of the 
organs of plants. I shall briefly explain the doctrine, as it is at 
present received :— 

1. The leaf is the simple type of all the floral organs, as far as 
regards structure and relative disposition. 

2. Bracts are leaves modified in the first degree, differing but 
little from the condition of the archetype. 

3. The calix consists of sepals, variously united, which are still 
further modifications of the leaf. 

4. The corolla consists of petals, whose relationship to leaves is 
still further obscured, by their having attained a greater delicacy 


_ of texture, and a more brilliant and varied colouring. 


5. The stamen presents a filament and anther, the former being 
analogous to the petiole of the leaf, and the latter to the lamina, 
whose lateral edges are rolled inwards, and connected to the mid- 


_ rib on the upper surface, forming two somewhat cylindrical cases, 


for the generation and preservation of the pollen. 
6. The pistil consists of germen, style, and stigma. The germen 


104 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


being formed (as it were) of the lamina of the leaf doubled up, so 
as to have the lateral margins united in their whole lengths, the 
upper surface of the leaf forming the inner surface of the germen. 
The stigma is thus formed of the extremity of the midrib, and the 
style, of its prolongation. 

In most cases the ovarial leaf is sessile, but in some instances, 
(““Gentiana’’} the petiole exists in the form of a stalk (Gynophore) 
to the germen. In thus briefly describing the relationship of the 
floral organs to each other, and to the leaf, it may be proper to 
observe, however, that the proof is founded Ist, on the insensible 
transitions of the organs; 2nd, on their reversion to the state of 
leaves; 3rd, on their mutual substitution; and 4th, on the perfect 
similarity of the laws which determine their situation and varied 
combinations. The flowers of ‘“ Nymphea”’ afford an example of the 
first order of reasons, viz., insensible transitions. The sepals differ- 
ing but little from the petals, and the petals passing insensibly into 
stamens, no line of demarcation can be pointed out where the for- 
mer terminate, or the latter commence. In the outermost series, 
we observe the broad, ovate, perfect petals, which in the succeed- 
ing series become more and more contracted, having at first small 
imperfect anthers in their margins at the apex, separated by a suc- 
cessively diminishing portion of the true petaloid lamina. The 
contraction of the lamina of the petals continues as we proceed 
towards the centre of: the flower, until the innermost series of pis- 
tils are found to have become merely flattened filaments, to what 
are now perfect stamens; the progressive enlargement of the 
anther cases, and their mutual approximation having kept pace 
with the contraction and diminution of the petaloid lamina. I 
have chosen to preface the description of these petaloid stamens by 
a reference to the other organs of the flower, and to the leaf, in 
order to point out more plainly the importance of the peculiar 
structure of the petals and stamens; which otherwise would appear 
merely as an interesting but isolated fact. All knowledge is rela- 
tive, and it becomes useful only in proportion to our capability of 
associating and combining the disjunct parts of the perfect whole. 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 105 


ORDER. PAPAVERACE®. (JUSS.) 
Papaver (Linn.) Porry. 
Linn. Cl. xiii. Ord. i. 

Named because it is administered with pap (papa in Celtic) to 
induce sleep, or more probably jrom pasco pavi, (Lat.) because 
eaten by the Romans. 

“‘Lilia verbenasque premens, vescumque papaver.”— Virgil. 

1. P. hybridum (Linn.), hybrid Corn Poppy, round rough headed 
Poppy. Engl. Bot.t. 43. Reich. Icones, iii. f. 4476. 

Locality. Open cornfields on a chalky or sandy soil; not frequent 
‘in the county. Annual Fi. June, July. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. * 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, ‘Cornfields at Salisbury,” Mr. James 

_ Hussey. ‘Waste ground near Salisbury,” Bot. Guide. “ Border 
_ ofacornfield by the side of the road from Milford to Clarendon,” 
Maton in Hatcher’s Hist. of Salisbury. “Amesbury,” Dr. Southby. 

2. South Middie District, Cornfields near Stonehenge. 
| 3. South-west District, Cornfields near Wick, plentifully. ‘ Bor- 

_ der of a cornfield at Wardour Park,” Major Smith. 
North Division. 

4. North-west District, “Sandy fields at Bromham,” Miss L. 
Meredith. 

Further localities for this species, in the Northern as well as in 
the Southern Districts, will be required before its distribution in 
Wilts can be accurately determined. ‘“P. hybridum” appears to 
be principally confined to chalky or sandy soils, where it should be 
sought. Itis generally less branched, but nearly as tall, as “ P. 
— Rheas, Linn.) the leaves smaller but with stiffer and shorter segments, 
The figure of this species is not well represented by Sowerby in 
Engl. Botany. 

2. “P. Argemone,” (Linn.) Argemone like; long, rough headed 
Poppy. The name Argemone was given by the Greeks to a plant, 
which was supposed to cure (Argema,) Cataract of the eye. Engl. 
Bot. t. 643. Reich. Icones, iii. f. 4475. 

Locality. In cornfields and their borders, on gravelly or sandy 
ground, not uncommon in the county. A. June, July. Area, 1.2.3.4.5. 

I 


a 
; 
_ 


106 The Fiora of Wiitshire. 


South Division. 

1. South-east District, ‘‘Cornfields at Salisbury and its neighbour- 
hood,’’ Mr. James Hussey. ‘“ Amesbury,” Dr. Southby. 

2. South Middle District, Cornfields near Devizes, Market Lav- 
ington, Erlestoke, Codford St. Peters, and Westbury. 

3. South-west District, Clay Hill, Warminster, Hindon and 
Stourhead. 

North Division. » 

4. North-west District, By the road side near Limpley Stoke, 
Cornfields between Corsham and Puckridge, Bowden and Derry 
Hill, and Spye Park. “Neighbourhood of Chippenham,” Dr. R. C. 
Alexander Prior, and Mr. C. E. Broome. 

-0. North-east Distriet, Swindon and Marlborough.. 

This is the “ P. laciniato folio, capitulo hispido longiore,” of our 
great Ray, and much resembling the preceding species, from which 
it should be carefully distinguished. It is the weakest and not 
unfrequently the smallest of our red Poppies. 

P. Rheas (Linn.) Pomegranate or common red Poppy, round 
smooth-headed Poppy, Corn Rose, Red-weed, named from Rhoia 
(or Rhoa. Gr.) a pomegranate which it resembles in its scarlet 
flowers. Engl. Bot. t. 645. Reich. Icones iii. f. 4479. 

Locality. In cultivated land amongst corn, clover, &c. abun- 
dantly. A. June, August. Area. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

General in all the Districts, and by far the most abundant of our 
Poppies, and, where it abounds, denotes a light chalky and shallow 
soil. Itis singular that when such land is broken or ploughed 
up in the spring, when there can be no Poppies to scatter their seed, 
and although it be where none have ever been seen, yet it isa 
great chance that such land shall not be covered with these plants 
during the summer. This has frequently been observed on the 
Wiltshire Downs, where lands have been first broken up, also 
about our railway cuttings, I have seen their embankments glow 
with the red petals of the Wild Poppy. P. Rieas is an abundant 
plant throughout England and Ireland, less so in Scotland, and 
scarce in the Highlands. It is also remarkable that this, and the other 
species of Poppy, the disposition of which to wander obtained for 


= 


Wy 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 107 


them, amongst the old writers, the title of “erraticum,” should, 


according to Dr. Bromfield, have little or no tendency to establish 


themselves in the United States or in Canada, where so many of 
our European weeds have obtained an extensive, and in some cases, 
injurious footing, favoured by the similarity of soil and climate to 
the country from which they migrated. This species was thought 
by the ancients so necessary for the prosperity of their corn, that 
the seeds of this Poppy were offered up in the sacred rites of Ceres, 
whose garland was formed with barley or bearded wheat, interwo- 
ven with Poppies. An antique statue of this goddess in the Louvre 
in Paris, represents Ceres as holding Poppies in her hand, mixed 
with corn, as well as having them braided in her hair; and in the 
same collection Sabina holds a cornucopia filled with Pomegranates, 
Grapes, and Poppyheads. The Carnation Poppy, which adds so 
considerably to the gaiety of the garden during the months of July 
and August, and which is so much cultivated in France, isa variety 
of the common Poppy “ P. Rheas’”’ of our cornfields. In a double 
state it is a plant of great beauty, both on account of its crumpled 
and delicate texture, elegance of shape, and variety in colouring; 
some being perfectly white, others plain-rose, blush, scarlet, or 
crimson. This flower bursts out of its confinement at maturity 
with considerable force, throwing off the two-leaved caducous calyx 
to some distance, and astonishing the beholder who sees so large 
and so beautiful a corolla escape from so small a dwelling. For 
medicinal purposes, the petals of the red Poppy should be gathered 
just as they begin to blow; they possess a faint narcotic odour, and 
are generally thought to have a slightly sedative effect. They 
yield their virtues to boiling water, but are merely used for their 
fine colouring matter. A syrup of them was formerly prescribed 


in coughs and catarrhal complaints, but no faith whatever is now 


placed in its medicinal powers. Opium has been obtained from 
the capsules, but in so small a quantity as to render it an object 
unworthy of the trouble. By some foreign practitioners this ex- 
tract as a sedative is preferred to opium itself. 

P. dubium, (Linn.) doubtful Corn Poppy, or long smooth-headed 
Poppy, a species between Argémone and Rhwas. Engl. Bot. t. 644. 
Reich. Icones. iii. 4477. 12 


198 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


Locality. In cultivated fields, especially on a light soil, old walls, 
and gravelly banks, frequent. A. June, July. Area, 1. 2.3.4.5. 

Distributed throughout all the Districts. Perhaps less frequent 
than “ P. Rheas,” (Linn.) from which it is distinguished by the 
thickly accumbent bristles on the flower stalk: these bristles in 
the other species standing horizontally from each other. The flow- 
ers too are by no means of so fiery a red, but are somewhat paler. 
**P. Argemone,” (Linn.) which also, although more rarely, grows 
among the corn, has a club-shaped bristly capsule, small and still 
paler petals, and bluish anther and filaments which are thick 
above. “P. hybridum,” (Linn.) which grows still more rarely in 
the county, has an almost spherical, sulcated, bristly capsule, dirty 
dark red flowers, and bright blue anthere. 

“P. somniferum,” (Linn.) somniferous or Opium Poppy, White 
Poppy. Engl. Bot. t. 2145. Reich. Icones, iii. f. 4481. 

Locatity. Occasionally observed in many parts of the county, on 
waste and newly turned up ground, building lots, rubbish heaps, 
and railway embankments. A. F/. June, August. 

From the exotic origin of this species, I am quite unprepared to 
state its area of distribution in Wilts. A plant so universal in old 
gardens, where it is annually carried out with garden refuse to the 
roadsides, banks of rivers, &c., the seeds retaining their vitality 
for many years buried in the ground, will readily account for its 
being frequently observed for a season or two on soil thrown out of 
deep diggings about the banks of railways, and in newly trenched 
ground. The “ P. somniferum,’’ (Linn.) is one of the most anciently 
known and described plants; Homer speaks of the Poppy (mekon) 
growing in gardens, (Ji. viii. 306.) so that it appears to have been 
in cultivation even in that early period: and it is likewise men- 
tioned by Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Pliny. It is one of those 
plants which are remarkable for the extensive range of their geo- 
graphical relations; being found in England, especially near the sea, 
in the fens of the Eastern counties (where it assumes the appear- 
ance of a wild plant), in France and the rest of Europe, from 
Portugal to Petersburgh; in the Morea, Egypt, Persia, Japan, 
Mauritius, &c., &e. Some writers have accounted for its present 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 109 


naturalized state, by supposing it to have escaped formerly from 
the gardens of the curious, having been originally brought into 
this country together with the opium of commerce from the East. 
The flowers are solitary, the calyx bisepalous, falling off as the 
flower expands. Corolla tetrapetalous, Stamina hypogynous, a 
single pistil, which has no style, but having a radiating persistent 
stigma which forms the crown of the ovary. The germen or cap- 
sule goblet-shaped, one celled, formed of three or more carpels, 
which are modified leaves. The seeds, (which are beautiful micro- 
scopic objects) are attached to parietal placentz, escaping through 
little orifices or opercula beneath the radiated stigma; each oper-— 
culum being guarded by a delicate valve, which closes in damp and 
opens in dry weather. 

There are two principal varieties of the “ Papuver somniferum,” 
(Linn.) a. nigrum, “P. somniferum,” (Gmelin) and b. album, P. off- 
cinale, (Gmelin.) These have been considered by some botanists to 
form two distinct species. De Candolle however, whose Prodromus 
is the latest work of authority, retains them as varieties merely, 
and as such we shall here consider them. The plants are common 
in gardens, where they are cultivated for the gaudy beauty of their 
variously coloured flowers. These are single, semi-double, or double, 
in var. a. purple, rose or lilac, variegated, and edged with the same 
colours, never blue, nor yellow, generally with a black or purple 
mark at the bottom of each petal. In var. b. the petals are 
white or red. The petals in both varieties are entire toothed or 
fringed. The seeds of var. a. are dark coloured, and are sold un- 
der the name of mawseed for birds; those of var. b. are white, and 
will answer the same purpose. The plant which grows sponta- 
neously about Petersburgh has however white flowers, with dark 
coloured seeds, and by thus combining the characters of the two 
varieties, seems to establish their claim to form but a single species. 
According to Linnzus, a capsule of “P. somniferum”’ contained 
32,000 seeds, a wonderful example of vegetable fecundity. The 
plant abounds in a milky juice, which is collected from superficial 
incisions made in the capsule, through the epicarp into the mesocarp 
or diplée, taking care not to carry the incisions through the endo- 


110 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


carp into the cells when it has become inspissated, and of a brown- 
ish colour from evaporation, and the action of light. It is then 
further evaporated by the heat of the sun, forming the ductile mass 
called opium, (Opos) sap. It is for the production of opium that 
the Poppy is cultivated in Turkey, Asia Minor, Kgypt, Persia, and 
India, occasionally in Europe, and even in thiscountry. Both the 
varieties are cultivated for the production of opium, though it ap- 
pears that the var. b. album with white flowers, (“P. officinale,” 
Gmelin) is alone used for this purpose in Persia, and the plains of 
India; and the var. a. nigrum, dark flowered, (‘‘ P. somniferum,” 
Gmelin) in the Himalayas. Opium from the Poppy cultivated in 
this country yields, according to Brande’s analysis, as much mor- 
phia as the best from Turkey, but the uncertain state of the wea- 
ther will prevent the preparation from becoming in Britain a source 
of profitable enterprise. The seeds of the Poppy are used for the 
expression of a bland oil, which they yield abundantly, and which 
possesses none of the narcotic properties of the plant. It has been 
procured sufficiently pure for use in salads, but its principal use is 
in the arts. The origin of the medicinal use of the Poppy is in- 
volved in utter obscurity, although from the derivation of the word 
opium, and indeed from the many allusions to the soporific property 
of the Poppy in the Grecian Mythology, as well as the direct testi- 
mony of several of the early Greek writers, it appears that the Greeks 
were acquainted with its powers at a very early age. Hippocrates 
is said to have recommended Opos mekonos, the juice of the Poppy. 
Diagoras, about 416 years B.c., gave directions respecting the pro- 
per time for collecting the juice which forms the opium. The mode 
which Pliny describes the Romans to have adopted to procure the 
opium, does not materially differ from that practised at the present 
day in this country, and in the Kast, (Phillips.) A solution of 
opium in a spirituous menstruum forms the laudanum of the shops. 
This name which was originally given to the solid opium itself, 
was expressive of thankfulness for its wonderful properties, Laus, 
praise, Deo to God. Formerly much of the opium was produced 
in the territory of Thebes in Egypt, whence the terms Thebaic extract 
and tincture, by which it and landanum were known. It was with 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 111 


good reason that the ancients applied the term laudanum to opium, 
for it is indeed powerful to do good, though, as in the case of other 
energetic instruments, it is when misdirected strong to work evil. 
Stimulant or sedative, excitant or narcotic, as concurrent circum- 
stances may determine, it has for ages been used as a preparative 
for deeds of enterprise, to mitigate the sufferings of disease, or to 
obtain respite from the canker-workings of consuming care. 

The operation of opium is usually considered to be confined to 
the nervous system, its effects on the other organs of living animals 
being of a secondary character, acting on them through the medium 
of their nerves. This, although true to the fullest extent in the 
higher order of animals, is nevertheless but a partial view of the 
subject. It is against the Principle of Life, whose simplest condi- 
tion is sensation, that its operation is directed. Its primary or es- 
sential action on the nerves of animals obtains, because these are 
the media of sensibility in those species which possess them. Ani- 
mals without a detectable nervous system, (‘“Polygastrica,” &c.) have 
their vitality extinguished by opium. “The action of opium va- 
ries with the degree of development of the nervous system,” ‘.e., 
the manifestations of its actions are varied according to the condition 
of the co-existing and co-related structures. In plants which have 
no nerves, nor other especia/ organs of sensation, but in which sen- 
sation still exists as the result and the evidence of life, the delete- 
rious power of opium is fully shewn. If watered with a solution of 
this poisonous substance, the organic sensibility of the sensitive 
plants, “Mimosa sensitiva and pudica,” is destroyed, they droop and 
die. Even the Poppy itself, the elaborator of this powerful con- 
troller of vital action, succumbs beneath its influence, affording the 
analogue in the vegetable kingdom, to the instance among animals, 
which perish from the effects of their own virus—Rattle-snake, &c. 

The structure of the capsule likewise presents many points of 
considerable interest. It bears so close a resemblance to that of 
Nymphea, that it formed one of De Candolle’s reasons for consider- 
ing the “ Papaveracee” and “ Nympheacee” to be allied.! The 


* “Ob. structuram, fructus et stigmatis Papaveri, valde similem.”—— Regni 
Veget. Syst. Nat. vol. ii. p. 42. This similarity of structure is repeatedly 


112 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


capsule in each genus is syncarpous with ovuliferous dissepiments, 
and is crowned with a many-rayed stigma, the number of rays cor- 
responding to that of the dissepiments. The chief structural differ- 
ence hitherto observed between these capsules, consists in that of 
Nymphea being composed of distinct carpels, surrounding the axis 
and having the dissepiments formed by the juxta-position of the 
ovuliferous sides of the perfect cells, with intermediate plates 
of cellular tissue. Whilst, in Papaver, the inflected sides of the 
conjoined carpels not being continued to the axis, the imperfect 
ovuliferous dissepiments project only midway into the cavity of the 
capsule, and thus leave it one-cedled. The minute structure of Pa- 
paveracee, and its relations to Nympheacee and Ranunculacee will 
probably form the substance of a future paper in these pages, un- 
connected with the present series. 
CuELipontum (Linn.) CELANDINE. 
Linn. Cl. xiii. Ord. i. 

Name. From Chelidon (Gr.) a swallow, flowering about the ar- 
rival of that bird. 

1. “CO. majus,”’ (Linn.) Greater or Common Celandine. ngl. 
Bot. t. 1581. Reich. Icones, f. 4466. 

Locality. In hedges, rough shady places, on rubbish, old walls, 
and uncultivated ground, generally near houses, frequent. P. Fi. 
May, June, July. Area. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, Salisbury, Amesbury, Upavon, Allcan- 
nings, Pewsey, and Burbage. 

2. South Middle District, Codford, Heytesbury, Westbury, Trow- 
bridge, Devizes, N etheravon, Market Lavington, and Shrewton. 

3. South-west District, Wilton, Boyton, Warminster, Longleat, 
Stourhead, Hindon, and Broad Chalk. 
alluded to by this author, thus, in Nympheacee——‘‘ Styli . . . . con- 
nati stigmatibus supra ‘urceolum peltatim (exacté ut in Papavere) radiatis basi 
connatis apice liberis.” p.39. Again ‘‘ Papaveracee accedunt hine mediante 
Papavere ad Nympheaceas.” p, 68. In Fl. Fran. Decandolle included Nym- 
phea and its immediately allied genera in Papaveracee, in which this great 
botanist followed the example of Linneus, who had previously referred Nym- 


phea to his 27th order Rheadee, which very nearly corresponds with the 
Papaveracee of modern authors. 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 113 


North Division. 

4. North-west District, Bradford, Melksham, Chippenham, Woot- 
ton Basset, Malmsbury, Castle Combe, Colerne, and Box. 

5. North-east District, Calne, Swindon, Cricklade, Marlborough, 
and Great Bedwyn. 

From the above area of distribution, ““C. majus,” (Linn.) may be 
considered not an unfrequent plant in Wilts. Yet so constantly 
does it occur in the vicinity of old houses, cottage gardens, orch- 
ards, and other suspicious places, that many botanists scarcely 
deem it a native species. The Common or Greater Celandine is so 
named in contradistinction to “ Ranunculus Ficaria,” (Linn.) Pile- 
wort Crowfoot, which was called by the old botanists Lesser Cel- 
andine. It approaches to the natural order Crucifere in the cruci- 
form shape of the corolla, and its silique or pod; which however 
differs essentially in being only one-celled, thus allying it to Papa- 
veracee. The whole plant is very brittle, and when broken or 
wounded, exudes an orange-coloured fetid juice. Its taste is in- 
tensely bitter and acrid, occasioning a sense of burning in the 
mouth and fauces similar to that produced by Cayenne pepper, 
which lasts for a considerable time. Externally the juice has been 
long known as a popular remedy to destroy warts. The method 
of applying it, is simply to break the stalk and touch the part af- 
fected with the yellow juice that exudes: when taken internally 
the juice is a violent acrid poison, producing inflammation in the 
textures to which it is applied. M. Orfila has seen speedy death 
produced by it. A variety with very hairy stalks and laciniated 
petals, has been supposed by M. De Candolle and Lamarck to be a 
distinct species. It is mentioned by Clusius, Bauhine, and several 
other of the old botanists, and is the var. b. of Sir J. E. Smith’s 
Flora Britannica and English Flora, where it was first mentioned as 
a British plant, and likewise by Dr. Dillenius in the 38rd edition of 
“ Ray's Synopsis,” p. 809. This variety differs from “C. majus,” 
(Linn.) in the segments of the leaves being cut into narrow strap- 
shaped, jagged, pointed lobes, and in the petals being deeply cut 
into two or three principal divisions, which are again cut or ser- 
rated. It has not as yet been observed in Wilts. 


114 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


ORDER. FUMARIACEA (DE CAND.) 
Corypauis, (DE Cann.) 
Linn. Cl. xvii. Ord. i. 

Name. Korydalis, the ancient Greek name for Fumitory. From 
korudalos, a lark, on account of the spurred flower resembling the 
foot of that bird. 

1. “CO. lutea,” (Lindl.) yellow Corydalis. Fwnaria Engl. Bot. t. 
088. Reich. Icones, t. 6, 4459. 

Locality. Old walls, rare. P. May, August. Area. 1.2.3.4. 5. 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, “Old walls in the neighbourhood of Salis- 
bury,” Wr. James Hussey. 

2. South Middle District, Devizes. 

3. South-west District, “Clay Hill Farm,” Miss Griffith. “On a 
wall at Road Hill,’ Rev. Edward Peacock, in litt. April 1859. 

North Division. 

4, North-west District, Walls at Corsham. ‘Chippenham,’ Dr. 
R. C. Alexander Prior, and Mr. C. E. Broome. “ Langley Burrell,” 
Mr. C. E. Broome. 

5. North-east District, Old walls at Swindon and Purton. 

Naturalized on old garden walls in many parts of the county, 
where it has escaped from cultivation. It is a troublesome weed 
in the flower garden, springing rapidly from seed, which it per- 
fects in great abundance. 

“©, solida,” (Hook) solid, bulbous rooted Corydalis. Engl. Bot. 
t. 1471. Reich. Icones, t. 7, f. 4462. Has been observed at Great 
Bedwyn by Mr. William Bartlett, but I fear under circumstances 
that will scarcely warrant its being considered indigenous or even 
naturalized. Miss L. Meredith also reports ‘‘C. solida,” (Hook) as 
occurring in Stocky Lane, Bromham,' but at the same time intima- 


1 Jt is not improbable that this plant escaped from the garden at Nonsuch 
House, formerly the residence of the late James Norris, Esq., who devoted his 
leisure time in studying the ‘‘ Natural History of his native county, (Wilts.) 
He was particularly attached to the study of botany, and contributed much 
valuable information to the 3rd edition of Dr. Withering’s ‘‘ Arrangement of 
British plants,” published in 1796. (‘* This edition of Withering,” says the late 
Sir James Smith, ‘is the last which its worthy author completed.” It is the 
only one quoted by Sir James himself in the pages of his English Flora, His 


= 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 115 


ting its escape from the flower garden, where it increases rapidly 
by the multiplication of its bulb-like tubers, but seldom by seed, - 

“C. claviculata,’ (De Cand.) White climbing Fumitory, Engl. 
Bot. t. 103. Reich. Icones, f. 4457. This species has not as yet 
been recorded, or observed growing in any part of Wilts. In 
Somerset and Hants it is more or less distributed, being found in 
thick woods, stony bushy places, especially in hilly districts, where 
in similar situations it will doubtless be detected in this county, 
and added to our “ Flora.” 

Fumaria (Linn.) Foumitory. 
Linn. Cl. xvii. Ord. i. 

Name. The fumaria of Latin authors; so called from the smell 
of some species resembling smoke (fwmus), French fumeterre, whence 
the English Fumitory. 

1. “F. capreolata,” (Linn.) tendrilled or ramping Fumitory, Engl. 
Bot. t. 948. Reich. Icones, f. 4456. The name capreolata means 
furnished with capreoli (Lat.) tendrils, which word is a diminutive 
of caprea, and signifies first a roe or deer, secondly a branch that 
putteth forth tendrils, and is used in this sense by Varro. 

Locality. Cornfields, gardens, hedges, and road sides, not unfre- 
quent. A. June, September. Area. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, “Cultivated fields and gardens in the 
neighbourhood of Salisbury,” Major Smith. ‘“ Amesbury,” Dr. 
Southby. 

2. South Middle District, Cultivated ground about Devizes. 

North Division. 

4. North-west District, “Chippenham,” Dr. R. OC. Alexander 
Prior and Mr. C. E. Broome. “Gardens and cultivated land at 
Bromham,” Miss L. Meredith. 

5. North-east District, not unfrequent about.Swindon and Crick- 
lade. 

Not uncommon in Wilts, though possibly passed over for the 


_ botanical collections have been unfortunately dispersed, but his name is entitled 


to be included with the other Naturalists of Wiltshire in the pages of this 
Journal, 


116 The Flora of Wiiltshire. 


next species “F. officinalis,” {Linn.) by most of my correspondents. 
It varies much in habit, but is best distinguished by its large petals 
and calycine leaves, with globose fruit, rather longer than broad, its 
stems generally climbing, sometimes ouly diffuse. This plant can 
never be confounded with the next, if attention is paid to the struc- 
ture of the flowers and fruit, although the variety “ F. media” 
(Lois.) of that species closely resembles it in appearance. 

2. “F. officinalis,” (Linn.) officinal or common Fumitory. Engi. 
Bot. t. 589. Reich. Icones, f. 4454. 

Locality. In waste and cultivated ground, hedge banks, fields, 
and gardens. A. Fl. May, September. Area. 1. 2. 3. 4.5. 

Generally distributed throughout all the Districts. A very variable 
plant both in habit and growth, sometimes having its stems erect, 
occasionally becoming diffuse and rampant-like “F. capreolata,” 
(Linn.) (the diffuse form of Ray and Smith), when it is the “F. 
media”’ (Lois.) and of British botanists, it has paler flowers, broader 
and flatter segments to the leaves, but does not otherwise differ. 
This species may readily be distinguished from the last, as Mr. H. 
C. Watson observes, by the very broadly dilated and almost orbi- 
cular extremity of (particularly) the lower petal, which in “ F. ca- 
preolata” (Linn.) is narrowly spoon-shaped, and ladle-shaped in “F. 
officinalis,” (Linn.) 

3. F. “ micrantha” (Lagasca.) Small flowered Fumitory. Engl. 
Bot. Suppl. t. 2876. Hook Ic. Pi. t. 638. 

Locality. In cultivated fields. A. June, September. Area. 
ile * * * * 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, Plentifully in cultivated fields near Wick, 
where Mr. James Hussey and myself discovered it in June 1850, 
and I am not aware that it has been since noticed in Wilts. 

This is the “ F. micrantha,” (Lagasca.) who separated this from 
“F. parviflora,” (Lam.) in his “ Generum specierumque, plantarum 
novarum aut minus cognitarum diagnoses,” where he gives the fol- 
lowing characters of the two. F. parvifiora, “ calycibus minimis, 
floribus erectis, foliis pinnato-decompositis, foliolis tripartitis incisis 
linearibus ;” and “F. micrantha,” “calycibus cordato rotundatis cor- 


—— oe. 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 147 


olle, tubo latioribus, foliis pinnato-decompositis linearibus angus- 
tissimis,” so that the latter may be described to be “ F. parviflora” 
as to the foliage, but with large broad sepals in proportion to the 
corolla, by which it is best distinguished. This species may possi- 
bly prove to be not unfrequent in the county when attention has 
once been drawn to it. The flowers are deep rose colour, as in the 
erect form of “ F. officinalis” (Linn.) 

In studying the “ Fumaria,” the best distinguishing characters 
are to be obtained from the forms of the fruit, and of the calyx, 
and the proportions of the latter to the other parts of the flower, 
the length of the bracteas to the pedicel is of next value, the direc- 
tion of the pedicel, the proportion of the spike to the leaves, and 
its being sessile or stalked ; the breadth of the foliage and the erect 
or climbing nature of the plant are of less than secondary import- 
ance, while the green or glaucous hue is in some species not sufli- 
ciently constant to mark a variety. 


Stanley Abbey, A Refugee at. 


By the Rey. J. E. Jackson. 


N the late Mr. Bowles’s account of Stanley Abbey (formerly 
—<§\%) near Chippenham, but long since entirely destroyed) are 
given a few (Latin) extracts, from a Bodleian Manuscript, relating 


- to that Religious House. Among them is the following (trans- 


lated into English) : 
“ Fulco Fitzwarine took refuge, July 2nd, in the Abbey of Stanley 
in Wiltshire, and was there besieged, together with his followers, for 


_ fourteen days, by almost the whole county and by many others who 


had flocked to the place. But he came out safe in the peace of the 
church, and was reconciled in the following year 1202.” (Hist. of 
Brembill, p. 118.) To which Mr. Bowles adds: “It is impossible 


_ to say to what this entry alludes, but some criminal had evidently 


taken sanctuary in this convent.” 


118 Stanley Abbey. A Refugee at. 


There can be no doubt to whom it refers. The adventures of 
Fulke Fitzwarine the younger, a powerful Shropshire Baron, temp. 
King John, are preserved in the once very popular “‘ Romance of the 
Fitzwarines” originally written in Anglo Norman verse, and subse- 
quently transformed into an English prose version. Fulke Fitzwarine 
the younger was one of King John’s most persevering opponents. 
The enmity between them is said to have taken its origin from a 
boyish quarrel. While they were little more than children in 
King Henry II.’s household, Prince John and Fulke were one day 
playing at chess, and the former, angry at his playfellow’s superior 
skill, struck him violently on the head with the chess board. Fulke 
returned the blow with so much force that the prince was thrown 
with his head against the wall, and fell senseless on the floor. 
When restored to his senses he immediately ran to his father to 
make his complaint. But Henry who knew his son’s character, 
not only told him that he had deserved what he had got, but sent 
for the tutor and desired that the Prince might be again beaten, 
“finely and well,” for complaining. 

John never forgot that Fulke Fitzwarine had been the cause of 
this disgrace. Immediately after coming to the throne, he deprived 
him of his large estates and gave them to another Baron. Then 
began the adventures that form the “‘ Romance” above mentioned. 
Fitzwarine raised his friends and supporters: was joined by other 
sufferers from the King’s injustice, and carried on for a considerable 
time, a petty but very troublesome rebellion. The account of his 
wanderings, and narrow escapes, disguises and gallant deeds, some- 
times resembling those of the popular Robin Hood, is very amusing. 
The reader will find them given in Mr. T. Wright’s History of 
Ludlow, p. 63, from which we extract the following passage rela- 
ting to Fitzwarine’s sojourning in Wiltshire. 

“Fulke and his company went to the Forest of BranEnE” 
(Stanley Abbey was not far from the skirts of the forest,) where 
they remained some time unobserved. One day there came ten 
merchants who brought from foreign lands rich cloths and other 
valuable merchandise, which they had bought for the King and 
Queen of England, with money furnished from the royal treasury. 


By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. £19 


As the convoy passed under the wood, followed by twenty four ser- 
jeants-at-arms to guard the King’s goods, John Fitzwarine was sent 
out to inquire who they were. John met with a rude reception; 
but Fulke and his companions came forwards, and, in spite of their 
obstinate defence, captured the whole party, and carried them 
with their convoy into the forest. When Fulke heard that they 
were the King’s merchants, and that the loss would not fall upon 
their own heads, he ordered the rich cloths and furs to be brought 
forth, and, measuring them out with his lance, gave to all his men 
their shares, each according to his degree and deserts, “ but each 
was served with large measure enough.” He then sent the mer- 
chants to the King, bearers of Fulke Fitzwarine’s grateful thanks 
for the fine robes with which his Majesty had clad all Fulke’s good 


men.” 


Two seals of Fulke Fitzwarine are given in Sir R. C. Hoare’s 
Modern Wilts. [‘‘ Warminster” p. 5.] The parish of Stanton 
Fitzwarine takes its name from his family, formerly lords of that 
manor. J. E. J. 


Donations to the Atusenm and Hibrarp. 


The Committee feel great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the follow- 
ing articles, presented to the Society :— 

By J. Yonex AkerMay, Esq., Sec. to the Soc. of Antiquaries:—Amber and other 
Beads from Anglo-Saxon and Romano-British graves at Harnham, Wilts; 
and Kingsholme, co. Gloucester. Stone Celt from Ireland. Bronze Celt and 
five examples of Roman or Romano-British Pottery discovered on the site of 
kilns in the New Forest. Lamp, in Terra Cotta, from Melos. Spindle whirls, 
&c., from a ruin near Sebastopol. Fragment of Pavement from Caerwent; 
and seven Flint Implements from Barrows on the Yorkshire Wolds. Roman 
ampulla and other remains, found by Mr. Cunnington at a Roman Station 
near Baydon, Wilts, June 1859. 

By Mr. B. J. Winxes, Baydon Manor Farm:—An Iron implement; probably 
used for carding wool or flax, also found at the Roman Station at Baydon. 
Second Report of Researches in an Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Bright-Hampton, 

co. Oxon, from Vol xxxviii. of the Archwologia:—By the Donor. 


120 Contributions to the Museum and Library. 


By J. E. Nieutrneate, Esq., Wilton:—Impressions, in Gutta Percha, from 
the Seals of Wilton Abbey, a.D. 974; Hospital of St. Giles; Common Seal of 
the Mayor, and Guild of Weavers at Wilton. Also from an ancient Seal of 
Joane daughter of Johannes Westone, found near Wilton Abbey. 

By Dr. Taurnam, F.S.A., Devizes:—Photographs of a skull and other objects 
from a Barrow on Roundway Hill. 

By Atrrep J. Dunxrn, Esq., Dartford:—Part xl. of the History of Kent, by 
the Donor. 

By Mr. Cunntneton, Devizes:—Bronze dagger, flint arrow-head, and frag- 
ments of a wooden chest which enclosed an interment of burnt bones, from 
the Long Barrow on Roundway Hill. Specimens of Death’s head hawk moth 
(Chrysalis and Moth). ; 

By Mr. Fatxyer, Devizes :—-Specimen of Carox of Death’s head hawk moth. 

By the Rev. P. A. L. Woop, Devizes :—Faculty for re-pewing, &c., the Church 
of St. Mary’s, dated August 1ith, 1854. Specimen of Coral Rag from West- 
brook. 

By Mr. Jonny Exten, Devizes:—Encaustic Tiles from Bradenstoke Abbey. 
Deed, bearing date 1st Dec. 8th of Queen Anne, addressed to Walter Ernlé, 
Esq., “‘late Sheriff,” and William Benson, Esq., of Amesbury, Sheriff of 
Wilts. 

By Mrs. Brirron, West Croydon ;—Pamphlet by H. Browne, of Amesbury, 
against the destruction of the Druidical Temple at Abury, Wilts, written in 
1823; also several letters by Mr. Britton and others on the same subject, from 
the Devizes Gazette. 

By Miss Wickens, Salisbury :—Photograph from an original drawing of an 
ancient painting representing the Great Doom, discovered in St. Thomas’s 
Church, Salisbury in 1819, Sketches of paintings from the spandrils of arches 
in Salisbury Cathedral. Drawing of a pulpit panel at Durrington. 

By the Rev. Henry H. Meruven, Alleannings :—Preserved specimen of Sterna 
hirundo—Tern or Sea Swallow, shot at Allcannings. 

By C. Darsy GrirritH, Esq., M.P., Padworth House, Reading :—Correspond- 
ence respecting the Affairs of Italy, January to May 1809. 

By Mr. R. Brancuerr, Wootton Basset :—Roman Coin, and three Tradesman’s 
Tokens. 

By T. S. Hatzipay, Esq., Warminster:—Two Tokens issued by Tradesmen in 
Salisbury. 

By Mr. J. N. Lapp, Calne:—Fac-simile of two entries in the Parish Register of 
Calne, Wilts; one a baptism by Bishop Jewel 29th Oct. 1570, the other a 
license to eat flesh in Lent, remarkable from its being of so late a date as 
1615—both lithographed by the Donor. 


H. Burt, Printer, Saint John Street, Devizes. 


WILTSHIRE 
Archealagial ak HAatwral Wistory 


MAGAZINE. 


No. XVII. DECEMBER, 1859. Von. Vik 
Contents. 
PAGE 


BisHor’s Cannines, Historical Memoirs of the Parish: By the Ven. 


AANA GCAGOH Marl ONAlGS a. siecc caio cccieree © saislsre tee e.aic ofc ule store 129-159 
Manoriat History, 121. Tything of Cannings, 124, Bourton and Easton, 128. 
Cote, 130. Horton, 131. Chapelry of St. James, Southbroom, 132. Roundway, 134. 
Wick, 138. Chittoe, 139. EcciesrasticaALt History, 141. The Vicarage, 142. 
Parish Church, 144. ‘‘Carrell’’ or reading-chair, 147. Charities, 151. Mr. T. 
Stevens, 152. Dr. James Pound, 153. Gxonocy of the Parish, 154. 
Rovunpway Hirt, Account of Ancient British and Anglo-Saxon Bar- 


Fows.:, by Mr. Cannington, WIGS. 3 jae cri ole «se oc «vie Bviersiel s,6 . 159-167 
OrnitHoLocy or Wits, No. 9: By the Rey. A. C. Smith. [Insessores 
continued. } 
Sylviade, 167. Paride, 177. Ampelidw, 179. Motacillide, 180, 
FRAUDS AND FORGERIES OF ANTIQUES. ...... 12.0.2 .eeceeee eens 183-186 
Ducny or Lancaster, Survey of its Manors in Co. Wilts........... 186-200 


North Standen, 187. Albourne, 188. Hannington, 189. Upavon, 190. Easterton 
Gernon (in Market Lavington), 191. Manningford Bohun, 192. Everley, 193. Nether- 
avon, 194. Berwick St. James, 195. Poole,197. Oaksey, 198. Ashley, 199. Bradon 


Forest, 200. 


Witp Darett oF Lirrtecote, (No. 2:) By C. E. Long, Esq........ 201-214 

Tue Dap Drummer, a Legend of Salisbury Plain: By J. Waylen, Esq. 215-223 _ 

emersors: bythe Rey. J. Us Ross, MiA... s..vciec ee newas ueaee 224-244 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Bishop’s Cannings Church, 144, 

The ‘‘ Carrell” or old reading chair in Bishop’s Cannings 
Church, 147. 

Circle of Stones at Stennis in the Orkneys, 242. 


DEVIZES: 
Henry Bort, 4, Sarnt Jon SrReEt, 
LONDON: 
Beit & Daupy, 116, Fueer Srreer; J. Rh. Surrn, 36, Sono Square. 


| ae 


WILTSHIRE MAGAZINE, 


‘‘MULTORUM MANIBUS GRANDE LEVATUR ONUS.”’—Ovid. 


Mistorical Atlemoirs of the Parish of Pishop’s 
Cannings, Co. GHilts. 


By the VENERABLE ARCHDEACON MACDONALD. 


Manoriat History. 
C , =GHE Parish of Cannings Episcopi, or Bishop’s Cannings, is, 
914) K in point of extent, the largest in the Hundred of Potterne 
and Cannings, containing upwards of 11,000 acres. 

It was anciently part of a larger district called Cannings, which 
included both this parish and that of All-Cannings.! 

As to the meaning of the name “Cannings.”’ there have been 
several conjectures. The most rational explanation appears to be 
that which is given by the late eminent Anglo-Saxon scholar, Mr. 
J. M. Kemble. 

In his “Saxons in England,” Vol. i. p. 456, Mr. Kemble has 
collected a list of nearly 1400 names of English parishes ending 
in ing; either simply as Reading, Barking, Malling, &c.: or in 
composition, as Bucking-ham, Walling-ford, Shering-ton, &c. Of 
these names so ending in ing, the greatest part were merely the 
patronymics, or family names, of emigrants in very remote times 
from the Continent, either from Northern Germany or Scandinavia. 
As they settled and spread themselves in this country, they natu- 
rally gave to the estates which they obtained, their own family name, 
either simply or in composition. 


‘This name is printed Albe-Cannings [i.e. White] in the Taxation of Pope 
Nicholas, taken a.p, 1291, A/, beginning the name of a parish, is often derived 
from Saxon Atld, old. 


VOL. VI.—NO. XVII. K 


*- 


122 . Bishop’s Cannings. 


Thus, the family of the Basings, is recognised in (simply) Basing 
(Hants); and in composition, Basing-stoke (Hants), Bassing-bourne 
(Camb.), Bassing-ham (Linc.), Bassing-ton (Northumb.), Bassing- 
field (Line.): the adjuncts, stoke, bourne, ham, ton, §c., being 
merely the ordinary Saxon words for village, stream, farm, town, &c. 
So with the family name of the Hornings, Mannings, and others: 
which in composition become Hornings-ham, Manning-ford, &e. 
Among such patronymics Mr. Kemble includes the name of Can- 
nings: which in the present instance remains simple: but in com- 
position is found elsewhere, as Canning-ton (Som.), Kenning-ton 
(Surrey), Kenning-hill (Norfolk). This derivation of the word, 
by one of the best Anglo-Saxon scholars of his day, not only simple 
in itself, but supported by a large analogy, may serve as a good 
illustration and key to the history of names. For in numerous 
other cases, the course of derivation has been exactly the same as 
in this. Cannings was first a family name, imported into England 
twelve centuries ago. The foreign settlers who bore it, naturally 
gave it to the place at which they settled. The next step was, that 
individuals born in or connected with the place, distinguished them- 
selves from other Johns or Williams, as John or William de Can- 
nings. Presently the de fell into disuse, and so the word insensibly 
passed into a fwmily name once more. As such, it has not only 
survived to the nineteenth century, but has become known to the 
whole world: first, in connexion with one of England’s most ac- 
complished Orators, and now as her Representative in the Empire 
of India." 

In Domesday Book, Bishop’s Cannings appears to be called. 
Kaining-ham; i.e. Canning’s estate or farm: but in other records 


’ 


of or about that period, it is simply “ Canynges;” as in Bishop 


1Tn the 13th and 14th centuries when Ecclesiastics almost universally used 
simply their Christian name followed by the place of their birth, or home, Simon 
de Kanynges was Abbot of Hyde; a.p. 1292. John de Canynges, Prior of Ab- 
ingdon, 1322. Richard de Canynges, Chantry Priest at Little Cheverell, 1297, 
and Chaplain at Hardenhuish, in Wilts, 1299. A Nicholas Martyn de Canynges 
was Rector of Boyton, 1332. The first of the celebrated Bristol family who 
used it as an established sirname was William Canynges, Bailiff of the City in 
1361, the grandfather of the builder of Redcliff Church. 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 123 


Osmund’s Deed of Foundation of Old Sarum Cathedral, ap. 1091, 
in which it is called “Ecclesia de Canyngas. This is, in fact, the 
true original word, being the nominative plural, in the Saxon de- 
clension of the Family, or Clan, of Canning. 

The parish is bounded on the south by that of All-Cannings; on 
the east and north by the Marlborough Downs; and on the west 
by portions of the parishes of Potterne, Rowde, and Devizes: from 
which town the village and church are distant three miles to the east. 

Along the Downs, to the east and north of the village, runs for 
several miles the celebrated Earthwork called the Wansdyke, which 
enters Wiltshire at Great Bedwyn, and, leaving it at Monkton 
Farley, is traceable to Maes Knoll in Somersetshire. Whether this ~ 
extraordinary work was originally constructed for a boundary 
merely, or for a defence as well as a boundary, is not quite cer- 
tain. But as that portion of it which traverses this parish, pre- 
sents a very deep ditch (on the north side) as well as a lofty 
rampart for its protection, I incline to think that here at all events, 
both purposes were intended. This is evidently the strongest part 
of the whole line, which is perhaps accounted for by its being im- 
mediately opposite to the British strong-hold at Old-Bury, the 
Temple of Abury, and the mount of Silbury. The Roman road 
from Bath to London is traceable across these Downs; and at Mor- 
gan’s Hill, just above Calstone, not only do the Wansdyke and 
Roman road coincide, but the rampart of the former has been cut 
away to form the road. 

Numerous sepulchral memorials of their ancient inhabitants 
abound on these Downs; among them I would particularly no- 
tice a remarkable group of three barrows not far from the turnpike 
road, and near to Shepherd’s Shore.'! These barrows are enclosed by 
a ditch somewhat of the figure 8, and are most probably the resting 
places of three members of a Celtic family, a child and its parents, 
who perhaps fell together in some hostile attack, or from some other 


' Aubrey calls this ‘‘Shepherd’s Shard,” which is the more correct word: from 
Saxon sceard, division, boundary, or breach in the dyke, and in fact many of the 
peasantry speak of it as the shard. 


x 2 


124 Bishop’s Cannings. 


cause died about the same time. The three tumuli are connected 
together by slight bands of earth, with a cross on each, the smaller 
barrow being in the middle. 

The parish is divided into two chief portions. 1. Bishop’s Can- 
nings proper; being the part more immediately connected with the 
mother-church: and 2. The Chapelry of St. James, Southbroom. 
To which two divisions may be added, 3. The outlying hamlet of 
Chittoe. 

The first division contains the following Tythings.—Cannings, 
Bourton and Easton consolidated: Cote, and Horton. The Chapelry 
of St. James, Southbroom, comprehends the Tythings of Round- 
way, Wick, Nursteed, and Bedborough. Of these I propose to give 
such particulars as I have been able to meet with. The outlying 
hamlet of Chittoe will be mentioned subsequently. 


Tything of Cannrnes. 


The Dean and Canons of Salisbury had here a small manor 
called ‘Cannings Canonicorum:” which they held till lately 
together with the great tithes of the parish, by gift of Osmund, 
first Bishop of Sarum after the Conquest, and nephew by the half 
blood to the Conqueror. 

But the principal estate is held under the See of Salisbury, to 
which it has belonged from time immemorial: together with the 
whole Jordship of the manor. When this manor was first given to 
the See, we do not know. But according to the course of endow- 
ments, it was in all probability a grant in very ancient times from 
the Crown of Wessex. The Episcopal estate is thus described in 
Domesday Book. (Wyndham, p. 75.) 

“The Bishop of Salisbury holds Cainingham.' It was assessed 


1The name of Kainingham in this Record, included of course not only the 
Tything of Cannings, but the whole parish, or manor, of Bishop’s Cannings: of 
which, at the time the Domesday survey was taken, the borough, park, and castle 
of Devizes formed a part, as will be explained. There is at least no mention of 
Devizes, by name, in the Record, and as it was then included in the Bishop’s 
manor, it is presumed to have been included under this name of Kainingham. 
Florence of Worcester, in a passage relating to one of the incursions made by 
the Danes many years before the time of Edward the Confessor, mentions a local 
name very similar to this of Kainingham: but whether he is alluding to this 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 125 


T. R, E.” (that is, in the time of King Edward the Confessor) “at 70 
hides—there are 45 ploughlands—ten hides are in demesne, where 
are 5 ploughlands and 6 servants—48 villagers and 40 borderers 
occupy 28 ploughlands—6 mills pay 7 shillings and 6 pence—here 
30 acres of meadow—the pasture is a mile and a half long, and a 
mile broad—the wood is a mile and a half long, and a mile and a 
quarter broad—a house in the borough of Caune belonging to this 
manor pays 20 pence a year—a Priest holds 2 hides of the lands 
of this manor—Ebrard 10 hides—Herman 4 hides—Quintin 3 hides 
—Walter 2 hides—Brictward 5 hides—Alward 1 hide—the wife of 
the bailiff 1 hide—all these have 8 ploughlands with 3 villagers, 
and 30 bordarers! occupying 4 ploughlands—the Bishop’s demesne 
is worth 60 pounds, and what the others held is worth 35 pounds.” 

The whole manor continued to belong to the See of Sarum with- 
out disturbance, until the time of Bishop Roger a.p. 1102-1139. 
This celebrated Prelate, successively the favourite of Henry I., of 
his daughter the Empress Matilda, and of Stephen, became too 
rich and powerful for the times. Having deserted his first patron’s 
daughter, he was himself repaid by treachery. Stephen deprived 
him both of personal liberty, and of the whole of the Episcopal 
estates, including Cannings, and Devizes Castle which (among 
others) the Bishop had newly built. These were, in turn, wrested 
from Stephen by the Empress. The successor of Bishop Roger, 
supported by the Pope’s authority, prevailed upon her to promise, 
by deed dated 1148, whole and entire restitution of the lands ab- 
stracted from the See. But in the following year, on the arrival 


part of Wiltshire, and if not, to what other place in England, is uncertain. 
“4.p, 1010, After this, about the feast of St. Andrew the Danes burnt North- 
ampton, and then crossing the river Thames went into Essex, [? Wessex] and 
haying set fire to Cainingamersee and the greatest part of Wiltshire, they as 
usual returned to their ships about Christmas.” 

'The bordarii were tenants of a less servile condition than the villani; they 
held a cottage with lands, on condition of supplying the lord’s table with small 
provisions, doing his domestic work, and even any base service he might re- 
quire. Hida is the valuation of the estate, carucata the measurement of the 
land. Mr. Wyndham, the editor of the Wiltshire Domesday book, considers a 
hide to be worth about twenty Norman shillings, and as the value depended 
upon the quality of the land, it consisted accordingly of a greater or less num- 
ber of acres in proportion to their poverty or fertility. 


126 Bishop’s Cannings. 


of her son Henry (at that time Duke of Normandy), the expected 
restitution was largely qualified by deductions which his necessities 
obliged him to make. To acompetitor for the Throne, fortified 
places were useful. Accordingly when confirming, by deed dated 
13 April 1149, his mother’s engagement to restore to the See the 
Manor of Cannings, Henry specially excepted “the Castle of Devizes 
situated in the aforesaid manor of the Church of Sarum, and “the 
Burgh and Park ; excepting also the services of the knights of the 
said manor; till God shall so magnify me that I shall be in a con- 
dition to give them back: excepting also seven and a half hides of 
the said manor.”! But these never were, and evidently never were 
intended to be given back to the See. The King’s advisers having 
the will to keep, easily found the way. 

By a Deed dated a.p. 1157, eight years after Henry’s last pro- 
mise, and three years after he had established himself on the throne, 
an arrangement was made “for the adjustment of a quit claim of 
our Lord the King in the matter of the Castle of Devizes with the 
two Parks and Burgh, as the same are at present divided and en- 
closed by the Dykes.”? This arrangement was amicable. The 
King gave to the See, in lieu of what he retained, thirty pounds 
per annum of Royal demesne elsewhere, and restored four churches 
and two Prebends. From this time therefore (a.p. 1157) Devizes, 
including what is called Old Park, (about 600 acres, long since 
sub-divided into fields and in the hands of various owners,’) was 
finally severed from the Episcopal manor. With the town, Old 
Park forms in fact the parish of Devizes: and the town itself is 
still surrounded on three sides by the parish of Bishop’s Cannings. 

From 1157, the year of the amicable exchange, the rest of the 
manor of Bishop’s Cannings continued to be the property of the 


1 Waylen’s Chronicles of Devizes, p. 68. 

2 Devizes Park, originally the only one, and attached to the Castle, was after- 
wards called Old Park, to distinguish it from a less ancient rival, New Park, 
on the opposite side of the town. From the document above referred to, it is 
clear that the Old Park itself in the year 1157, had been already sub-divided into 
two parts and enclosed by dykes. These two sub-divisions are the ‘‘two Parks” 
mentioned in the text. 

’ The chief of them being the Rey. Alfred Smith, who possesses a handsome 
residence there, 


? 


By Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 127 


See of Salisbury without further disturbance for about 500 years, 
and, as usual with this kind of property, has passed through the 
hands of successive Lessees, under the Bishop. The Lessee, called 
the Lord Farmer, held his two courts annually, a Court Baron and 
a Court Leet, on the site of an ancient Manor House, which has 
long since disappeared. 

In 1 Richard II. (a.p. 1877) Bishop Erghum! obtained leave 
from the Crown to make castellated houses, (‘crenellare sua man- 
eria’’) at Cannings and Potterne: adding as it would seem, in this 
parish, a ditch and rampart: for of these some traces are still per- 
ceptible. 

At the Court of Cannings, the Farm of Bupton (in the parish of 
Cliff Pypard, but Hundred of Potterne) used formerly to render an 
annual payment, as holding of the Bishop. Bupton belonged for 
a great many years to an old family of the name of Quintin: so 
far back, it would seem, as the Domesday survey: for in the ex- 
tract from that Record relating to the Bishop’s manor of Cannings 
(or Kainingham) given above, among the landowners under the 
See, appears the name of “Quintin, 3 hides.” (See p. 125.) The 
payment of 1s. 6d. ‘‘ Lawday silver,” for Bupton, continued to be 
made so late as 1661. 

Among the “ Lords Farmers” who have held this episcopal estate 
on lease, the oldest name that has been met with, is that of Thomas 
Southam: who in 1402, as “ Firmarius de Canyngges,” also nom- 
inated the vicar.” 

In 1616 Robert Drew, Esq. of Southbroom was a Lessee. In 
1637 Thomas Shuter. In 1639 Mr., afterwards, Sir Robert Hen- 
ley, of Henley, Co. Somerset. [See Burke’s Extinct Baronets. | 

In 1646, under the temporary domination of the anti-church 
party, an Act was peters, for pboueeE <div and Bishops: 


' Ralph Erghum, B ishop of Se haps 1375—1388, seems to aie e eer a timid 
man, or to have lived i in unsettled times: for he fortified, not only his houses at 
Potterne and Cannings when Bishop of Salisbury, but also, when removed to 
Wells, the Episcopal palace there: surrounding it with the moat and walls, &e., 
as seen at the present day. 

*Sarum Registers. In the same year a Thomas Southam (perhaps the same 
person) appears as Magister Choristarum and Patron of Preshute, 


128 Bishop’s Cannings. 


and a valuation of their estates for sale, was ordered. The annual 
value of the Bishop’s estate here was found to be £218 8s., capable 
of improvement to the amount of £469 13s. 2d. per annum, in 
addition. Between a.p. 1647 and 1651 it was sold to Samuel 
Wightwick, Esq. for £6065 15s. 7d. But in 1660, on the return 
of Charles II., the Bishop’s lands were restored: and Sir Robert 
Henley accordingly continued as Lessee. 

About this time a small portion was alienated, as will be described 
under “Chittoe” Tything. Sir Edward Nicholas, Kt. was at this 
time the principal landowner in the parish. (Subsidy Roll.) On 
6th January 1661, Sir Robert Henley sold the rest of his interest 
in the lease to Sir William Turner, merchant tailor and Alderman 
of London, for £8700.2 The next Lessee was Mr. Paul Methuen, 
mentioned by Aubrey, as “of Bradford and Bishop’s Cannings.” 
He died 1667. His son inherited, and died 1725: having in Sep- 
tember 1720 sold it to Benjamin Haskins Styles, Esq. On his 
death it descended to Sir Francis Haskins Eyles Styles, who sold 
it in Chancery. Mr. Willy the purchaser, was succeeded by his 
nephew, son of his sister the wife of Mr. Prince Sutton, in 1762. 
Mr. Sutton’s daughter and heiress was Eleanor, wife of Thomas 
Grimston Estcourt, Esq. In a.p. 1856, his son, the Rt. Hon. 
Thomas Henry Sutton Sotheron Estcourt, having experienced diffi- 
culties as to the renewal of his lease under the Bishop of Salisbury, 
(occasioned by a rule of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, to allow 
of no renewal of leases in which they have a reversionary interest,) 
determined to dispose of his interest in the episcopal manor, and 
accordingly in 1858 sold this with other property in the parish to 
the Commissioners of Land Revenue, that is, to the Crown. 


Tything of Bourton anp Easton (Consolidated). 


Bourton was one of the seats of the ancient family of Ernle,* 


2 Sir Wm. Turner, Lord Mayor of London in 1669, was the munificent Founder 
of a Hospital and Free School at Kirk-Leatham in Yorkshire, where he was 
buried. His nephew and heir was Cholmley Turner, sq. 

* Originally from Co, Sussex. The Attorney-General to King Henry VIII. 
(1516) spelled his name John Erneley. 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 129 


who came into possession of this property in the time of Henry VIII.; 
John son of William de Ernle having purchased the estate on the 
dissolution of the monasteries; the land being said to have been 
Priory property, but for this we only have vague traditional autho- 
rity, no account of any religious house there, being to be found in 
any of the best works on the subject. The Ernle property at Echil- 
hampton belonged to the ancient family of Malwyn, came into 
the Ernle family with Joan Best wife of John Ernle, who had pro- 
perty also in another part of this parish which will be mentioned; 
at Echilhampton in the neighbouring parish of All-Cannings; 
at Maddington, and elsewhere in Wilts. Their residence at Bour- 
ton has long been converted into a farm house. It seems to have 
been a large mansion, gradually lessened as different parts fell into 
dilapidation. Much of the building was removed a few years ago, 
and there is no difficulty in tracing foundations of other portions. 
The walks, orchards, and fish-ponds, still discernible through the 
changes which the face of the residence and grounds have under- 
gone, sufficiently indicate the wealth and importance of the Ernle 
family. Their estate here, called in the deeds of the family, “the 
manor farm of Bourton, within the manor of Bishop’s Cannings,” 
was conveyed by deed dated 10 March, 5 Charles I., by Sir John 
Ernle of Whetham (near Calne) son and heir of Michael Ernle, 
Esq. and Dame Margaret his wife, and by his son and heir, to 
Robert Blackborrow of Bristol, brewer. Peter Blackborrow of 
Bourton, gentleman, by deed dated the 28th of June 1658, conveys 
the said manor to Robert Henley, Esq. of the Middle Temple, London, 
(already mentioned as a Lessee of Cannings.) Sir Robert Henley 
of the Grange, in the county of Southampton, knight, by deed 
dated 5th December, 19 Charles II., conveys it to Henry Wool- 
nough of Bramsholt, in the said county of Southampton, clerk; 
from Henry it descended to Joshua Woolnough his son, and from 
him to Rollstone Woolnough his son. By will, dated 16th Nov. 
1757, Rollstone Woolnough devised the manor to his three sisters 
for their lives: and upon their deaths to his niece Elizabeth Smyth, 
wife of John Hugh Smyth, Esq. eldest son of Sir Jarrit Smyth, 
bart. Lady Smyth left her estate in this tything to the Rev. Israel 


I DiaFt- 


130 Bishop’s Cannings. 


Lewis, and after his death the trustees, under his will, sold it to 
George Skeate Ruddle the present possessor. The other proprietors 
in Bourton are Mr. Thomas Brown, Mr. Thomas Giddings, and 
the Commissioners—of the-Inland—Revenue, to whom (as already 
mentioned) the Rt. Hon. T. H. 8. Sotheron Estcourt has recently 
disposed of his interest as Lessee under the Bishop of Salisbury. 

In Bourton and Easton, Sir Edward Nicholas, Sir Robert Hen- 
ley, Mr. Hayward, Sir William Turner, and William Sloper were 
owners in 1660. 


Tything of Core (Now CoarTt.) 


In 9 Edward II. (1319) this was shared by two owners, William 
de Cotes, and John Mautravers. The latter portion had belonged 
(Richard I. and Henry III.) to Sir Walter Mautravers. His de- 
scendant John Lord Maltravers, one of the cruel keepers of the 
unfortunate Edward II., obtained in the 12th year of that reign, 
a charter of Free warren for this and his other demesne lands in 
this county. Hedied in 1365 leaving no male issue surviving: and 
this estate passed by the marriage of his grand-daughter Eleanor to 
Reginald Lord Cobham of Sterborough. His son Reginald, dying 
in his father’s lifetime, left a daughter Margaret who married 
Ralph Nevill Earl of Westmoreland (who died 1485) and carried 
with her these and other estates into his family.’ 

In the beginning of the 16th century, we find an estate here in 
the possession of the Ernley family, from whom it passed in the 
following manner to its present possessors. 

Sir Edward Ernley married a daughter of General Thomas Erle, 
by whom he had two daughters. One of these died unmarried; 
the other was the wife of Henry Drax, Esq., by whom she had a son 
Thomas Erle Drax, Esq. To this gentleman his maternal grandfather 
Sir Edward bequeathed his estates at Cote and Echilhampton. 
Thomas Erle Drax dying without issue, was succeeded by his bro- 
ther Edward Drax, Esq., whose daughter married Richard Grosve- 
nor, Esq., by whom she had a daughter, who married J. Wanley 


1 “Canynge Marsh” belonged to Edward Nevill Lord Bergayenny, who died 
16 Edward IV. (1476) I. p. m. 


Bie i ee ed 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 131 


Sawbridge, Esq. In addition to his own paternal name, he assumed 
that of Erle Drax: and the descendants of this marriage are now 
the joint proprietors of this estate. 

Mr. George Elgar Sloper, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Thomas Brown, and 
Mr. Harris are the other proprietors at Cote. To the last named 
gentleman belongs the farm of Cold-cote; sometimes miscalled 
Calcot, or Cold croft. 

“Cold-cotes in Cote” belonged in 49 Edward III. (a.p. 1375), 
and in 13 Richard II. (a.p. 1389) to the family of Hastings, Earl 
of Pembroke. (I. p. m.) 

In later times, it belonged to Mr. Weston; from whom it was 
bought by Mr. William Salmon. He sold it to Mr. Samuel Adlam 
who left it to his daughter, the wife of the Rev. Henry Baynton. 
From him it was purchased by Mr. Line, whose trustees disposed 
of it to Mr. Harris. 


Tything of Horron. 


Among the landowners in the manor of Cannings who used to 
be charged, temp. John and Henry III., with an annual payment 
towards the expenses of guarding Devizes Castle, are mentioned 
Alan de St. George, William de Derham, and Owayn de Inemane, 
for their lands in Horton. 

Horton is mentioned in the Inquis. post mortem as held of the 
manor of Canynges in 17 Richard II. (1893) by Cicely wife of Sir 
Nicholas Berkeley. In 2 Henry IV. (1400) Sir John Roche, kt., 
died owner. His estate passed to the Bayntons of Fallersdon, and 
was their’s in 1465 and 1475. In 1517 John Vinor was principal 
landowner here. (Subsidy Roll.) In temp. Charles I. Thomas Wes- 
ton, gent. In 41 Elizabeth (1597) some part of this Tything bore 
the name of Horton Quarles.) 

The landowners in Horton, about 1665, were Sir Edward Nicho- 


7 las, Sir William Turner, Benjamin Gifford, Esq. of Boreham, Thomas 


Weston, and John Unwyn, Esgqs. of Yabington, Hants. Mr. Un- 
wyn was the largest proprietor. Part of his estate passed to Mr. 


'TIn 1315 Quarle was ‘owner of half the manor of Luckington in North Wilts, 
Quarles is a name found at Salisbury in 1597, 


132 Bishop’s Cannings. 


Bennett (? of Steeple Ashton) and from him to Mr. Smith his son- 
in-law. He sold it to Mr. Adams of whom it was purchased by 
Dr. Rigge. He left two daughters coheiresses, one of whom mar- 
ried — Worrell Esq., and the other, James Rooke, Esq., a Major 
in the army. This now belongs to Mrs. Rooke. 

Another portion of Mr. Unwyn’s estate came to James Sutton, 
Esq., of Devizes, who took it in exchange for some other property 
nearer to that town. It has also passed from the Rt. Hon. Mr. 
Estcourt (as before mentioned) to the Commissioners of Inland 
Revenue. 

Mr. Thomas Brown inherited his house and premises from a near 
relative; it formed originally part of the property of a Mr. Weston 
whose sister succeeding to it, married Mr. Simon Ruddle, who be- 
queathed it to his niece Mrs. Lawrence, by whom it was left to Mr. 
Thomas Brown. . 

Mr. Thomas Giddings also holds in this tything a freehold farm 
of about 150 acres. 


II. Cuapetry or Sr. James, SourHBRooM. 


This division of the parish consists of four tythings, viz. Round- 
way, Wick, Nursteed, and Bedborough; and contains altogether 
nearly 3000 acres, with a population according to the census of 
1851 of 2517 souls. It is assessed to the Poor at £7980 9s. 10d. 
In all temporal matters these two divisions of the parish are dis- 
tinct: in spiritual things they were till within these few years un- 
der one head, and the vicar of Bishop’s Cannings had the cure of 
souls here, as in the rest of the parish. In 1831, at the instance 
of the vicar, with the aid of an Act of George II., it was made a 
Perpetual Curacy, and a separate Incumbent provided for it on the 
nomination of the vicar of the mother-church. All the tythings, 
mentioned as constituting this parochial chapelry, are within the 
manor of Bishop’s Cannings, and Mr. Sotheron Kstcourt whilst 
lord farmer, exercised the manorial rights. Besides the Bishop of 
Salisbury, there are other large proprietors in this part of the 
parish. Among these, the chiefs are Mr. Estcourt, Mrs. Colston, 
Mr. Watson Taylor, and Mr. Ewart. 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 133 


Southbroom is perhaps so called, to distinguish it from a small 
hamlet in the more Northern part of Wilts, Brome near Swindon. 
In 2 Henry III. (1217) Godfrey de Clifton and John de Holt, 
clerk, represented the Bishop here. In 11 Henry III. (a.p. 1226) 
a Fair was granted, and in 12 Richard II. (a.p. 1388) was con- 
firmed to the Bishop of Salisbury, to be held at Southbroom (“ad 
Suth Bram extra villam de Devizes”). It was held on the Green, 
a portion of the waste of the lord of the manor, of which the Bishop 
had toll, and which toll is still paid, the fair being held on 20th 
April and 20th October in each year. 

In 1489 Thomas Norton of this place held under lease from John 
Fyton, lands in Canyngs episcopi, Stert, Vyse-wyke, and elsewhere 
in the neighbourhood.!' About 1498 it became the property of the 
Drew family, in whose hands it continued for 200 years, to (about) 
1680. Drew’s pond near Devizes still bears their name; which is 
found in many entries in the registers, and on monuments, in the 
churches of St. James and St. John. In 1615 was printed a Ser- 
mon called “Life’s Farewell” from Sam. xiv. 14, preached on the 
death of John Drew, Esq. by George Ferreby, Vicar of Bishop’s 
Cannings. <A copy of this is in Magd. Coll. Library, Oxford. 
Robert, son of this John Drew was M.P. for Devizes 1597—1625.? 


1 Wilts Arch. Magazine, I. 288, No. 46. 

2Tt has been stated in Vol. iii. p. 177 of this Magazine, that in a deed of 
temp. Henry VII., the first Lessee of Southbroom is called John Zrewe; and 
that this is the oldest form of the name at this place. On this point our Editor 
has observed to me that he is not acquainted with Zrewe as a Wiltshire genti- 
litial name: but that Drew was an ancient and abundant name in the Western 
counties, and, as such, still adheres to three parishes which some have considered, 
but as he thinks quite erroneously, to have been called after the Druids: viz. 
Drew’s Teignton (Co. Devon), Stanton Drew (Co, Som.) and Littleton Drew (Co. 
Wilts). There were also in North Wilts, Drews of Seagry, temp. Edward IIL. ; 
and of Ogbourne St. George so late as 1565, He thinks that in the case of John 
Trewe, above mentioned, there may have been an accidental error by the clerk 
who wrote the deed, such as often happens either from similarity of sound (as 
Tenison for Denison, or Tuckett for Duckett), or when a deed is prepared at a 
distance from the spot. In this case the error seems to be immediately corrected 
in the deed next following, by the restoration of the proper name Drew, ‘alias. 
Trewe,” as such mistakes, once made, are obliged to be referred to in subsequent 
documents. The representatives of the Southbroom family repudiate the varia- 
tion of Zrewe. The name of William Ferrebe, clerk, and Lawrence Drewe are 


134 Bishop’s Cannings. 


About 1680 Southbroom was purchased by Sir John Eyles, of a 
Devizes family, a Lord Mayor of London, and elder brother of Sir 
Francis Eyles created baronet 1714. The baronetcy in the younger 
branch expired 1768. The last of the elder branch who resided at 
Southbroom was Edward Eyles, Esq. 1770. His eldest sister 
Maria was wife of George Heathcote of London, whose son was 
Josiah Eyles Heathcote. This gentleman’s executors sold it to 
William Salmon, Esq.: who sold it to the trustees of Mr. Watson 
Taylor, father of the present owner. It is now the residence of 


R. P. Nisbet, Esq. 


Tything of Rounpway. 


This is a small hamlet about two miles north of Devizes. In the 
oldest documents it is most frequently spelled Rynd-way: perhaps 
from Ryne, in Saxon a spring. 

The principal estate here, now called Roundway Park, was till 
lately called New Park, to distinguish it from the Old or Castle 
Park. It is probable that originally the whole tything, as well as 
the vill, was held under the See of Salisbury; but that some part? 
passed to the Crown with Devizes Castle; as in a.p. 13827 (1 Edw. 
III.) Henry Estmond and others were found to hold 120 acres of 
arable, &c., at Divises in a place called the New Park—“ loco voe’ 
Novo Parco”—doing suit and service at Devizes Castle. (I. p. m.) 
In later times the Bishop’s estate was dispersed about the tything : 
but by an arrangement in Mr. James Sutton’s time, New Park be- 
came independent of the See. 

Bradenstoke Priory had a small portion of land here called 
‘Holdcroft, under Coffe-grove:” and the College de Valle Schola- 
rum (Vaux) at Salisbury received 10s. per annum rents from . 
«‘Ronway ” in 1534. [Val. Ecce. ] 

For 500 years (with only a brief temporary interruption,) 
“‘Ryndway” was the property of one of the oldest Wiltshire fami- 


found in juxta-position so early as 1398, as fellow-commissioners sent to attend 
a Convention. (Rymer, viii. 54.) 

1 Perhaps the 2 hides, printed Rindeveran, in Mr. Waylen’s ‘‘ Chronicles of 
Devizes.” p. 68. 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 135 


lies, still lineally represented but no longer here—that of Nicholas.’ 
John Nicholas was of Rvndway so early as a.p. 1800. The family 
branched off and is found at several other places in Wilts: as at 
Compton Chamberlayne, Cote in Bishop’s Cannings, Brokenbo- 
rough, Stert, and All-Cannings, all in 1553. At Seend, 1669; and 
Manningford Braose, 1706; also at Ashton Keynes. In Ryndway 
their original holding (under the Bishop in socage) seems to have 
been called “ Nicholas Place.” They had also “ Cray’s” in 1504. 
In 1598 Robert Nicholas held at his father’s death, as of ancient 
inheritance, a capital messuage, toft, and six virgates of land, here 
and at Southbroom: also “Le Hould croft in Ryndeway” then 
fallen to the Crown as parcel of the estates of the dissolved Priory 
of Bradenstoke: also a small piece of ground in Ryndway, held of 
John Sloper as of his share of the manor of Horton Quarles. (I.p.m.) 

Griffin Nicholas, Esq. was a benefactor to the poor of Devizes. 
By will 1634, he bequeathed to the poor of St. James’s parish £105. 
To St. Mary’s poor £155. To St. John’s poor £52 10s.: and to 
Calne poor £50. Total £362 10s. 

In 1659 Ryndway was under-leased to Captain Robert Chaloner, 
whose family (of Co. Denbigh) was connected with that of Nicholas 
by marriage.” Thomas Chaloner, Lancaster Herald 1668, appears 
to have lived here.* 


1 The following notices of this family are principally taken from documents 
kindly lent by Edward Richmond Nicholas, Esq. of Bewdley, Co. Wore. 

* Joan Chaloner was the mother of Robert Nicholas, Esq., Recorder of Devizes. 
The family notices say that she died at Devizes in 1732, aged 97: and that she 
dressed singularly, always wearing a black cap. 

’ Time renders so harmless the sting of personality, that we hope no living 
person is likely to take offence if we revive out of John Aubrey’s letters to An- 
thony 4 Wood, the character which those two oddities settled for this gentleman. 
A. Wood was trying to obtain a situation in the Herald’s Office. Aubrey makes 
some enquiry on his behalf, and then writes ‘‘There is not yet any vacancy: but 
Mr. Dugdale supposes that one I know is not fit for the place will be contented 
to resign for money. He is Lancaster Herald: and one that the Office (and I 
thinke every body) hates, or ought to doe, if they knew him as well as I doe: 
for he hath been the boutefeu (fire-brand) to set me and my dame” (his 
intended) ‘at variance.” ‘To which A, Wood replies. ‘‘The person that you 
mentioned in your letter that is now Lancaster Herald, his name is Chaloner, 
whose character I have heard by one of his neighbours that liveth at the Devizes. 
I know also that he hath been an Officer in the Army, a bustling man for the 


136 Bishop’s Cannings. 


In 1663 among the names of the rate-payers in Ryndway occurs 
that of Sir Edward Nicholas, the celebrated Secretary of State to 
King Charles II., an old and faithful servant of the Crown, who 
was dismissed through the intrigues of Lady Castlemaine, the 
Royal mistress. 

Robert Nicholas, counsel on Colonel Penruddocke’s trial, and 
afterwards Baron of the Exchequer, died owner of Ryndway in 
1670. He left no son surviving. One of his daughters married 
Thomas Hulbert of Corsham: and their daughter Elizabeth marry- 
ing Brereton Boucher, Esq, of Barnesly, Co. Gloucester, carried 
the estate into that family. But in 1705 it was re-purchased by 
Robert Nicholas, Esq., Recorder of Devizes, descended from a 
younger brother of Robert the Baron of the Exchequer above 
mentioned. 

John Nicholas, the Baron’s nephew, was Fellow of All Souls 
College Oxford in 1674. 

In 1706 Edward Nicholas of Manningford Braose held the manor 
of Potterne under the See. 

Robert Nicholas, Esq., the first Recorder of Devizes under 
Charles I.’s charter, was born at Ryndway 2nd March 1661: was en- 
tered of Balliol College Oxford, and then of the Inner Temple. 
He married Jane only daughter of Mr. John Child, M.P. for De- 
vizes, brother to Sir Francis Child the first banker. The Recorder 
died 7th January 1725, aged 64. 

The name of Edward Richmond Nicholas his grandson is found 
among the juvenile authors of the Muss Etonenses.' He left Eton 
as Captain of the Commoners, and took a degree in Civil Law and 
Physic at Queen’s College, Oxford. He died 1770. His son Robert 
Nicholas, Esq., M.P. for Cricklade (by petition) in 1784, was of 
Ashton Keynes, (where his grandfather Edward had married the 
daughter of Oliffe Richmond). He sold the Roundway estate about 
1790 to Mr. Willy, M.P. for Devizes, from whom it passed to his 
relative Mr. Sutton: and from him by the female line to the late 


world, of great acquaintance with the gentry, and one that understandeth his 


trade well. He will not stick to ask enough.” 
1 Edit. 1755, pages 43, 45, 50, 53, 56, 60. 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 137 


Mr. Estcourt. From him it was purchased by Mr. Holford whose 
trustees sold it to the late Edward Francis Colston, Esq, whose 
widow is the present proprietress. 

On the hill above, called Roundway Hill and Roundway Down, 
there is an earthwork, commonly called Oliver’s camp, from the 
notion that Cromwell occupied it when his army or a portion of it 
was in this part of the county, and surrounded, in 1645, the town 
of Devizes. This little earthenwork is situated on the western ex- 
tremity of the hill, upon a high point of Down projecting towards 
the village of Rowde. It hasan entrance from the Down, guarded 
by a single rampart. On the other side it is rendered inaccessible 
by nature. The whole area of the camp does not contain three 
acres. It has not the appearance of a very old work, and though 
not strictly of the usual form of a Roman encampment, yet as some 
articles of Roman personal furniture have been found in the neigh- 
bourhood, it was probably used by them as an exploratory camp 
attached to the Station of Verlucio. 

On this plain, since called King’s Play Down, a battle took place 
13th July 1643 between the Royalists commanded by Lord Wil- 
mot and Sir Ralph Hopton, and the forces of the Parliament under 
Sir William Waller; when the latter sustained a signal defeat. 
The narrative may be found in Clarendon’s History of the Rebel- 
lion. 

On this Down a barrow was opened by Mr. Cunnington, and at five 
and a half feet below the surface a skeleton was found ina fixed po- 
sition, with its head towards the north, and lying on the left side. 
This, according to the opinion of a distinguished medical member of 
the Wiltshire Archzological Society, was the skeleton of an Ancient 
Briton, an old man.' In 1858, Mr. Cunnington made a second 
investigation, and on this occasion the interment was found at the 
western end of the barrow, and consisted of a deposit of burnt hu- 
man bones and a small bronze dagger, which had been fastened to 
its handle by three bronze rivets. ‘The peculiarity of this inter- 
ment was the fact that the bones were contained in a wooden chest 


1 See his account, Wiltshire Archwological Magazine, vol. iii, p. 187. 


L 


138 Bishop’s Cannings. 


or small coffin, a circumstance which has not hitherto been noticed 
in Ancient British barrows. 

In the summer of 1852, as some men were employed in draining 
a field in Roundway farm, their spades came in contact with a 
hard substance which proved, on opening the ground, to be a 
leaden cist or coffin. It was rectangular in shape and much cor- 
roded, and must have lain there undisturbed for many centuries, and 
from its position (nearly north and south) was probably of the 
Anglo-Roman period; but this of course is only conjecture, as no 
coins, personal ornaments, or pieces of pottery were found to indi- 
cate the date, nor were any remains of the body found, except some 
traces of phosphate of lime, usually discovered in earth which has 
been in contact with animal matter. 

Another discovery of a leaden coffin was made in an open field 
near Heddington, presenting exactly the same appearance as the 
one at Roundway. In that instance also there were no remains of 
the body, nor any clue to the time of interment, but in the same 
field some pottery of a very early period was found. 

In 1787 was printed a poem called ‘“ Roundway Hill,” by T. 
Needham Rees, surgeon, of Devizes. 


WIcK. 


This is now a suburb of Devizes. ‘ Wic;’’ Saxon for village, in 
Latin, vicus, is known in some cases to indicate a Roman site. A 
discovery in 1699 of several hundred Roman coins on ground here 
belonging to Sir John Eyles of Southbroom ; and another in 1714, 
of a whole set of pocket household images or Penates (for which 
see a plate in Waylen’s Chronicles of Devizes, p. 279), close to the 
site of the present Southbroom House; besides other relics men- 
tioned by Stukeley as being continually found near Devizes; lead 
to a fair supposition that there were Romanized Britons here. To 
what extent it is impossible to say: but perhaps this was the ori- 
ginal village which afterwards under episcopal and royal patronage 
grew up into the larger town. It is sometimes called “Vyse-wyke.” 

Noursrerep: about two miles south-west of Devizes, is perhaps a 
corruption of New-stead—new place—but sometimes called Nurst- 


a 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 139 


wood, though there does not seem to have existed near,the hamlet 
any woody land, from which the name could come. Mr. Sotheron 
Estcourt and Mrs. Smith are the chief proprietors, the last men- 
tioned lady having a handsome villa residence in it. 

Bepsorovucs is the remaining tything; the boundaries of which 
it is not easy to ascertain and more difficult to describe. It em- 
braces portions of Devizes Green, and runs up the London road, 
becomes intermixed with the tything of Roundway, and is stopped 
by the lane leading to the Silk mill. 


IIL. Currroz. Anciently Chetowe, and Chittow: now sometimes 
called Chitway. 


This tything adjoins the parish of Bromham, but is an outlying 
part of the manor of Bishop’s Cannings, from which by the nearest 
road over the Downs it is six miles distant. The larger part of it 
belongs to the Spye Park estate. In the year 1661 Sir Edward 
Baynton of Bromham being engaged in building a mansion house 
on a new site, Old Bromham House, the seat of his ancestors, hay- 
ing been burnt in the civil wars; Mr. Robert Henley, already 
mentioned as Lord Farmer at that time of the entire manor, con- 
veyed to Sir Edward, by an underlease, all his right and property 
in Chittoe. This included about 100 acres of waste which were 
added to the new domain called Spye Park; a condition being 
annexed that by way of acknowledgement, the Bayntons should 
pay to the Bishop as chief lord an annual contribution of two fat 
bucks. Mr. C. Wyndham is also a landowner in the tything. 

Tradition relates that there was anciently a chapel here: and 
this appears to have been the case: for in the Valor Ecclesiasticus 
(Henry VIII.) the vicar of Bishop’s Cannings is charged with a 
payment to the rector of Bromham of 6s. 8d. per annum “ pro 
capella de Chittow.” This, I doubt not, was in consideration of his 
celebrating the sacraments to the inhabitants of Chittoe, on account 
of their inconvenient distance from their proper parish priest. It 
is not known when the chapel was destroyed, nor when this pay- 
ment was discontinued. The parishioners of Chittoe have for very 


many years been accustomed to be married at Bishop’s Cannings, 
L 2 


140 Bishop’s Cannings. 


but for the offices of baptism and burial, to attend at Bromham 
church. 

The Spye Park estate pays to the vicar of Bishop’s Cannings 
every year £2 6s. 8d., which may have been the value of the tythes 
in ancient times, when nearly all the land in the tything was 
waste. It would appear by a deed of the 13th century, of the na- 
ture of an “ Inspeximus,” that the whole of the tythes of this part 
of the parish were given to the vicar of Bishop’s Cannings: and if 
he were possessed of sufficient legal evidence to establish his claim 
to them, now that they are of greater value, the income of the 
curacy, to which they would be assigned by the incumbent of the 
mother-church, would be considerably augmented. The tything 
consists of about 1100 acres. 

The present vicar of Bishop’s Cannings, who even from the date 
of his induction to the living, had a wish to build a chapel in this 
outlying part of his parish, at last, in 1844, saw a prospect of hav- 
ing his desire accomplished: and in the following year, by the 
Christian liberality of Mrs. Charlotte Starky, Bishop Denison of 
Salisbury, and other friends, was enabled to erect one, of sufficient 
size to accommodate both the inhabitants of the tything, and some 
of those of the adjoining parish of Bromham. A district being 
thus assigned it became a Perpetual Curacy; the patronage being 
vested in the Bishop of Salisbury, who had endowed it by a charge 
on his estate of £25 per annum: to which the vicar of the parish 
added an annual grant of £10. To these endowments some addi- 
tion has been made by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England; 
whilst Mr. Sotheron Estcourt has generously enabled the Bishop to 
provide a glebe and otherwise augment the curacy. The dedication 
of this church is observed every year on the 16th of October by the 
celebration of Divine Worship, on which occasion there is generally 
a full attendance of the inhabitants of the district. 

The church is built of native stone, with free stone dressing, in 
the Decorative style of architecture. It consists of nave and chan- 
cel, and contains 175 sittings, the whole of which are “free and 
unappropriated for ever.”’ The pitch of the roof and the chancel arch 
are generally admired. Four of the windows, including the large 


—————— =. 
5 


— ie I 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 141 


east window which was executed by Wailes at the expense of 
the present incumbent, are filled with stained glass, two of them 
being erected in pious memory of J. Schomberg, Esq. (late of Wans 
House) by his widow. The situation of the church, and indeed of 
the whole district, is almost unrivalled for picturesque beauty. In 
the latter are comprehended Sloperton Cottage, the last residence 
of Thomas Moore the poet, and Nonsuch House, formerly Mr. 
Norris’s, now the property of the Rev. Meredith Brown, the in- 
cumbent of Chittoe. But the principal feature of this kind is Spye 
Park the seat of J. B. Starky, Esq., which may be fairly considered 
one of the most beautiful parks and residences in the county. The 
house is a structure of stone, in the Italian style, with a handsome 
pediment; and is situated on the brow of an eminence, commanding 
from the back, or south side, a prospect towards Bath, which the 
cultivated and fastidious John Evelyn has pronounced to be incom- 
parable. “On the 19th July 1654,” says Mr. Evelyn, “went to 
Sir Edward Baynton’s, Spie Park, a place capable of being made 
a noble seat, but the humorous old Knight has built a long sin- 
gle house of two low stories on the precipice of an incomparable 
prospect, and landing on a bowling green in the park.”! The 
gateway by which the park is entered from the Lacock or Bowden 
side deserves attention. It is considered a perfect specimen of 
a Tudor Arch, and is said to have been presented to the Baynton 
family by one of the Queens of Henry VIII. It formerly stood 
at Old Bromham House, long since levelled with the ground. 
The park consists of about 500 acres, and contains every element 
of the picturesque. 


r 


EcciestasticAL History. 

The church ‘of Cannings” with glebe, great tythes, and a cer- 
tain portion of the small tythes, was granted April 1091 by the 
munificent Bishop Osmund to the Dean and Canons of Salisbury, 
with episcopal jurisdiction over the parish; which jurisdiction con- 
tinued and was exercised by the present incumbent as Official of 
the Dean and Chapter until within these few years past, when all 
the Peculiars in the Diocese were merged in the jurisdiction of the 
ee 0 VoL Tp. 279. : | 


142 Bishop’s Cannings. 


Bishop. It is not easy to understand why it pleased Bishop Os- 
mund to exempt from episcopal authority the parish, which com- 
prised his own manorial estate, and to assign it to others; but itis 
in agreement with one of the statutes of the Cathedral, in which 
he counsels the Dean and Canons to be on their guard against the 
influence of the Bishop in their concerns. 

Under the Land Tax Act, in the beginning of this century, the 
great tythes and a portion of the small tythes, were sold by the 
Dean and Chapter to Sir Anthony Abdy, then Lord Farmer of 
their manor of Cannings Canonicorum. He assigned them to T. 
Sutton, Esq. of New Park in this parish; by whose will they were 
bequeathed to his daughter Eleanor, wife of Thomas Grimston 
Estcourt, Esq.; and from her they descended to her son, Mr. So- 
theron Hstcourt. Of these tythes Mr. Estcourt, senior, merged the 
greater portion in land by a certain agreement between himself and 
the Bishop of Salisbury. The rest (under the arrangement for the 
general disposal of his interestin the episcopal property, already 
referred to) has been most liberally surrendered by Mr. Sotheron 
Estcourt, for the augmentation of the chapels of Southbroom and 
Chittoe, and for the maintenance of the chancel of Bishop’s Can- 
nings church. 

THE VICARAGE. | 

The Dean and Canons are the patrons of the vicarage, which is 
valued in the King’s books at £17 19s. 2d. 

In a.pv. 1778 an Act of Parliament was obtained to lay several 
certain common lands, which was carried into effect, and a portion of 
pasture assigned to the vicar. In 1812 the whole of the tythes of the 
parish due to the vicar were under the provisions of another Act of 
Parliament commuted, for the great and small tythes of certain 
lands in the tything of Coate, and of a farm (now Mr. Gidding’s) 
in the tything of Horton; and for an assignment of a certain ad- 
ditional quantity of land at Coate and Bishop’s Cannings. Under 
the more recent general commutation, all these tythes have been 
converted into a rent charge of £360 a year. The Dean and Chap- 
ter of Salisbury in selling their property, and the great tythes to 
their tenants (as mentioned above), were careful to charge them 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 143 


with an annual payment to the vicar of sixteen quarters of barley 


. > and twelve quarters of wheat. 


a? 


Vicars oF BisHor’s CANNINGS, 
with the dates of their respective Institutions. 


“ Johannes, Vicarius de Canynges”’ witnesses a deed of Lacock Abbey. 
Simon Ingham. 

Wumus de Carleton. 

Wuus de Cherleton. 

Johannes de Keston, by exch. with T. Welewyk of Colerne. 
Nicholas Thurstayn. 

Hugonis de Lambele, vice John de Keston (se. ) 
Wmus de Gilbert, by exch. with Robert Elteslee of Corsham. 
William Chitterne, v. Robert Elteslee. 

Johannes Kentif, vice Wm. Shirard (sic. ) 
Philippus Goffe, vice Johannes Kentyf. 

Johannes Dygon, vice Philippi Goffe. 

Johannes Marreys, vice Johannis Dygon. 
William Hankyn, vice John Marys. 

Nicholas Yonge, by exch. with William Haukyn. 
John Boleyn, p. m. Nich. Yong. 

John Lecke, on resig. John Boleyn. 

Richardus Baldry, vice John Leche. 

Christopher Chatres, p. m. Rich. Baldry. 
Edmund Crome. 

Thomas Sloper, on res. Ed. Crome. 

Gulielmus Cake, p. m. Thomas Sloper. 

Richard Acars, v. Wm. Cake. 

Hugh Gough. 

George Ferrebe, on res. of Hugh Gough. 
Thomas Ferrebe, on death of G. F. 

Thomas Etwell. 

Nathanael Godwyn. 

Avery Thompson. 

Jonathan Waterman. 

Arthur Dodwell. 

William Macdonald, M.A., Archdeacon of Wilts. 


It would appear from the dates of Institutions that the incumben- 
cies of the earlier vicars of the parish were but of short duration: the 
contrast is great between them and the incumbencies of later min- 
isters. Nothing is known about the earlier vicars. Among the later, 
Mr. George Ferrebe (1593—1623) deserves mention. Of him it 
is said that he was skilled in music; and that by his exercise of this 
talent he particularly pleased Anne, Queen of James the First, 


144 Bishop’s Cannings. : 


when on her return from Bath 11th June 1613, she passed over 
Wansdyke in his parish. Having received intelligence of this, ‘ 
Mr. Ferrebe, it is related, dressed himself in the habit of an an- 

cient bard, and clothed certain persons of his family whom he had . 
taught to play and sing in parts, in shepherd’s weeds, and proceeded 

to meet her Majesty. The Queen having had some notice of their . 
intention, stood still and suffered them to draw up to her, which : 
when done, they played their lessons on their wind instruments 
admirably, and sung some pastoral eclogues which he had composed 
for the occasion, to the great liking of the Queen and her Court. 
Soon after this, Mr. Ferrebe was sworn one of the King’s Chap- 
lains, and was ever after much valued for his ingenuity.!_ Aubrey 
in one of his letters says that “G. Ferrebe was Demy if not Fellow 
of Magd. Coll. Oxford: and that it was he who caused the eight 
bells to be cast there, being a very good ringer.” " 


Tur PartsH Cuurcu. 


This is dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin, and is a very ancient 
and noble structure. It has some traces of Norman, but a large 
portion of it is of the earliest age of the Pointed style: which 
doubtless was the prevailing character of the whole before certain 
changes, hereafter noticed, were made. 

The chancel with the transepts and tower afford pure specimens 
of the Early English, and lancet windows; those of the chancel 
especially being very beautiful, and much admired both by profes- 
sional and amateur architects: whilst the pillars of the nave, adorn- 
ed with well finished capitals, furnish evident marks of having 
been set up at that transition period, when the massive Roman 
was giving way to the lighter architecture of the 12th century.” The 


1See a further account of this eccentric vicar in Aubrey’s Nat. Hist. of Wilts, 
p. 108. 

2The late Mr. Britton in his ‘‘ Architectural Antiquities” vol. iv. p. 121, 
gives an engraving of the church from the south ; and ‘“‘ safely refers the ear- 
liest part of it to the reign of King Henry II.” 1155-1189. Joceline de Bailol 
being Bishop of Salisbury during nearly the whole of that period, it is not un- 
likely that upon recovering the Manor of Cannings from the crown in A.D. 1159, 
(See above, p. 125.) he undertook the erection of this fine building. Its charac- 


COtthons 


/ 


OP | 
BERR G 


< 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 145 


whole edifice consists of a nave with two aisles; a porch on the 
south side; decorated with the ball flower ornament; a transept 
with a tower and spire rising from the centre; a chantry attached 
to the east side of the south transept; a chancel, which till within 
these fifty or sixty years was furnished with stalls; and a very 
ancient building now used as a vestry room, attached to the north- 
east corner. The church from east to west measures 122 ft. 6 in.; 
length of chancel 52 ft.; width of transept 16 ft. 2 in.; length of 
nave 56 ft. 4 in.; length of transept, from north to south, 66 ft. 
6in.! The Chantry chapel on the east side of the south transept 
was, at the time of the Reformation (5th Elizabeth), made over by 
the churchwardens to John Ernle, Esq. of Bourton, in this parish, 
as a burial place for himself and family, according to the tenor of 
the following deed of gift, dated 6 Nov. 1563:— 


‘To all the faithful in Christ to whom this our present writing shall come, 
Thomas Sloper and John Perse wardens or guardians of the parish church of 
Bishop’s Cannyng, in the county of Wilts, greeting in the Lord everlasting :— 
Whereas in the parish church of Bishop’s Cannyng aforesaid, a certain chapel 
commonly called our Lady Bower, for the celebration of papistical masses is 
constructed and built, and such masses repugnant and contrary to divine law 
by the laws and statutes of this famous kingdom of England are lawfully abolished 
and prohibited: by pretext whereof the aforesaid chapel now is of no use to 
the said church or the parishioners thereof, nor can be converted, but the charges 
of the repair of the same chapel which now begin to be great (and increasing 
unless a remedy be provided, cannot but be in future days greater and heavier) 
fall upon the wardens or guardians and parishioners of the parish church of 
Bishop’s Cannyng aforesaid: Know ye therefore that we the aforesaid Thomas 
Sloper and John Perse the wardens or guardians beforesaid, as well in regard of 
the premises as for diyers ‘other just and lawful causes and considerations us 
hereunto moying, as well for us and our successors, wardens, or guardians of the 
said parish church as for all and singular the parishioners of the aforesaid parish 
church, their consent and assent being also expressly had to these presents ; 
Do give and grant to our nla in Christ, John Ernle of Bishop’s Cannyng 


ter, “sae out by the known history of the Manor, sufliciently denotes that at 
all events it must have been built under influence connected with Salisbury 
Cathedral. It is illustrated by Mr. Owen B. Carter in his unfinished folio work 
of Wiltshire churches. 

1 The chancel being so long, and being separated from the body of the church 
by the transept and having pillars supporting the steeple, the minister cannot 
read the Communion service from the proper place: and it is worthy of note 
that among the muniments of the Chapter there is an order directing the 
vicar not to read the service in the chancel but in the reading desk of the nave. 


146 _ Bishop’s Cannings. 
beforesaid, in the said county of Wilts, Esquire, and his heirs and assigns for 
ever, the use and occupation of the aforesaid chapel, viz., as well to make and 
procure to be constructed and built seats in such chapel, and also to use and 
have the same seats for the purpose of hearing Divine service, to be had and 
ministered in such parish church, as for burying and delivering to burial the 
bodies of deceased persons in the same chapel. To have and to hold the use and 
occupation of the beforesaid chapel in manner and form aforesaid, together with 
the free and direct ingress and regress to the same to the aforesaid John Ernle, 
his heirs, and assigns for ever. Provided always that the beforesaid John 
Ernle, his heirs and assigns, the aforesaid chapel in all necessary repairs, at his 
proper charges and expenses from time to time, as often as need shall be, shall 
well and sufficiently repair and maintain and sustain: and if it shall happen 
that such chapel in any part thereof, by the beforesaid John Ernle, his heirs, or 
assigns, be unrepaired by the space of one year after lawful notice to the same 
John Ernle, his heirs, or assigns, by the aforesaid wardens or guardians, or our 
successors made, then our present writings shall be of no value or effect. And 
then and from thenceforth it shall be lawful for us and our successors, wardens or | 
guardians of the said parish church, into the aforesaid chapel with all its appur- . 
tenances to re-enter, and the same with the appurtenances as in its former state, . 
to retain and re-possess, our present gift and grant in any wise notwithstanding. 
In faith and testimony of all and singular the premises, we have affixed our 
seals to these presents, dated the 6th day of the month of November, in the 5th 
year of the reign of Elizabeth, by the grace of God of England, France, and 
Ireland, Queen, Defender of the faith, 

‘By me JoHn ERNIE.” 


It was dedicated to Our Lady of the Bower,! and having fallen 
into dilapidation, and private masses being no longer legal and 
allowable, it was accepted by Mr. Ernle on condition of his keeping 
it in due repair. Having passed to his heirs it is now maintained by 
them, though no longer used for the purpose of interments, and I 
am sorry to say is not in so good a condition as might be wished. It 
contains two sepulchral monuments. Ist. In memory of John Ernle 


1 Boure (from the Saxon Bur) is an old word used by Chaucer signifying, not, 

as it generally does now, an arbour, but a chamber, as opposed to a hall. 

‘¢ Heres thou not Absalon 

That chaunteth thus under our boure’s wall.” —Miller’s Tale. 
So in a Scotch ballad; 
‘¢ There shall neither coal nor candle light 

Be seen within my bower mair.” 

And Milton : 
‘¢in hall or bower.” 

Chapels were dedicated to ‘‘ Our Lady” under various titles: ‘(Ad presepe,” of 
the manger. De navicelld, of the boat. Ad nives, of the snow, &c. The pre- 
sent one is rare. 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 147 


of Bourton, Esq., who died February Ist, 1571. 2nd. In memory 
of Edward Ernle of Echilhampton, son of Michael Ernle of Bour- 
ton, who died November 30th, 1656; and of Edward his grand- 
child, January 21st, 1675. The building attached to the north-east 
corner of the chancel, called a chantry chapel by Mr. Britton, but 
more probably used as a sacristy, is that portion of the church which 
bears the mark of the highest antiquity. Unlike chantry chapels, 
it has an upper chamber, probably a priest’s room, and had origin- 
ally a bell turret, the vestiges of which consist of some steps ending 
in the ridge of the roof. Though there can be little or no doubt 
that this church was built in the time of Henry II., it has never- 
theless undergone considerable alteration at a subsequent period, 
probably early in the 14th century, when the Perpendicular style 
came into fashion with architects. At this time the original high 
pitched roof of the nave was replaced by a late Pointed clerestory 
and roof; the triplet at the west end being preserved. The walls 
of the north and south aisles were raised, and windows of the early 
Perpendicular substituted in these aisles for the smaller lancets, 
specimens of which are to be seen in the sides of the transepts. 

There is in this church a singular, and I believe an unique article 
of furniture, the design and use of which it has puzzled many per- 
sons to discover. By some antiquaries it has been considered to be 
a portion of a Confessional chair; but a different, and probably 
more correct account of it is thus given by a writer in the “Kccle- 
siologist,” (vol. v. pp. 150-2.) “Of this (alleged) “Confessional 
chair,” an unscientific drawing and copy of the inscription were 
published in the “British Magazine” for April 1835. The inscrip- 
tion however was both incompletely and incorrectly transcribed. 
The chair itself, or rather stall, is now moveable, and is placed 
against the west wall of the north transept. It consists of an up- 
right panel, with some mouldings at the top and sides: the inner 
face of which is painted with a large hand, inscribed with sentences, 
and with two labels below, proceeding from the mouths of a white 
and a black cock respectively, also charged with legends. Against 
this panel is constructed a seat, facing sideways, with a flooring, a 
back of the ordinary height of a pew, a door, (facing the panel, but 


148 Bishop's Cannings. 


on the right hand of the person occupying the seat) and a desk in 
front of the seat, lower than the back or side. In the absence of 
accurate drawings we cannot help thinking that the seat is later than 
the painted panel to which it is attached. The inscriptions are in 


letters of the 15thcentury. Now, even supposing the whole to be . 


of the same date, there can be little or no question that this seat is 
not a confessional: first, because there is no arrangement for whis- 
pering or secrecy: secondly, because the manus meditationis is quite 
unsuitable to the case of either penitent or confessor: thirdly, be- 
cause everything people do not understand is, as a matter of course, 
attributed to confessionals. Some have thought the back to be a 
panel of the rood, or some other screen. But the inscription seems 
also quite inappropriate in such a position, or for any use in con- 
nection with the Divine offices. Whether, however, the unpainted 
seat, and deskwork be of the same date or not, it is certain that 
the whole stall is of ante-reformation date. We subjoin an ingeni- 
ous theory of a valued correspondent on the use of this seat. 

“For myself, (he says) I conjecture that this so called Confes- 
sional chair is a valuable, and perhaps unique, example of the 
ancient ‘Carrel,’ or stall, usually fixed in the cloister of monastic 

ildings, and which probably occurred as frequently in connexion 
with large parochial churches, such as Bishop’s Cannings, in imme- 
diate dependance on the Cathedral. These carrels were used by 
the monks or clergy for daily private study and meditation: hence 
the peculiar propriety and beauty in such a position of the manus 
meditationis. The following account of the carrel is transcribed 
from the well known “ Rites of Durham Abbey.” [Surtees Society’s 
edition, pp. 70, 71.] ‘In the north side of the cloister, from the 
corner against the church door to the corner over against the Dor- 
ter (Dormitory) door, was all fynely glased from the hight to the 
sole within ‘a litle of the ground into the cloister garth. And in 
every window iij. pews or carrells, where every one of the old 
monks had his carrell, severall by himselfe, that, when they had 
dyned, they dyd resorte to that place of cloister, and there studyed 
upon there books, every one in his carrell, all the afternonne unto 


1 Of course from ‘‘ quarrée” a square box, stall, inclosure, pewe, or pen. 


pa 


a 


ERT mR. 


< 


CORN 


OF 


SECTION 


a /* - —— ~~ * — a es ae 


Edw. Kite del et anastat 


Alncient Stall in Bishops Cleunings Chuech, Wilts , 


Sis 


ebtt quod 


bat 
5 put 


0} 


TT 


ihn 


i 


———- 


=a: 
yt 
ve 


SSS} 


SW'ites 


By Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. - 149 


evensong tyme. This was there exercise every daie. All these 
pews or carrells were all fynely wainscotted and verie close, all but 
the forepart which had carved wourke that gave light in at their 
carrell doures of waynscott. And in every carrell was a deske to 
lye there bookes on. And the carrells was no greater than from 
one stanchell of the wyndowe to another. And over against the car- 
rells against the church wall did stande sertaine great almeries of 
waynscott all full of bookes, wherein dyd lye as well the old aunc- 
yent written Doctors of the Church, as other prophane authors, with 
dyverse other holie men’s workes, so that every one did studye, 
what Doctor pleased him best, having the librarie at all tymes to 
goe studye in besides there carrells.’ Until better informed, there- 
fore, I am disposed to conclude that this very remarkable relique is 
a carrell used for study and meditation, and not a confessional 
chair. Of the manus itself, I will only remark, that the singular 
marking of each joint, and tip of the finger, as a separate subject 
for pious meditation, might perhaps have been taken from the 
common use of the hand in learning vocal music, which though 
revived by Wilhelm, is as old as Guido d’Arezzo, in the eleventh 
century.” 


The brief admonitory sentences on the Hand are as follows:— 


Nescis quantum, Nescis quoties, Drum offendisti. 


Finis tuus Vita tua Venisti in 


E amarusest. brevisest. §mundum Cum peccato. 
a Nihil tecum feres Vitam tuam Mortem tuam 
zB. r nisi quod fecisti. non potes non potes Morieris. 
g Meditari elongare. evadere. 
5 debes f 3 
= quod Nescis quo Nescis qualiter Nescis ubi Hora mortis 
3 devenies. morieris, morieris. incerta est. 
z 
@ Cito oblivisceris Raro faciet Quibus bona Status tuus 
a charis. pro te hres, relinquis pa- miserabilis 
rum faciet est. 
pro te. 
Memorare novissima tua Non homo leeteris tibi copia si fluat ris. 
Et in eternum non peceabis. Hic non semper eris, memor esto quod morieris. 
Ais evanebit: quod habes hie alter Nabebit, 


' Corpus putrebit: quod agis tecum remanebit. 
Oroan. In a.p. 1809, the sum of £1000 was given to the church- 
wardens by Mr. William Bayley, a native of the village, to purchase 
an organ for the church, which was accordingly procured from Mr, 
England, the great organ builder of the day, for the sum of £400, 


150 Bishop’s Cannings. 


The rest of the money was invested for the purpose of providing 
an organist, and for the tuning and repairing of the instrument 
when necessary, to which purpose the interest of the money has 
been faithfully applied.' 

- Of the donor of the organ, I am able to give a short account. 
Mr. William Bayley was the son of a small farmer at Bishop’s 
Cannings, and assisted his father in his business, devoting his 
leisure hours to reading, writing, and summing. Feeling a desire to 
see more of the world than he could in his native village, he pro- 
ceeded to Portsmouth and went to sea. After some experience 
in navigation he was taken on board Captain Cook’s ship, when 
that great navigator was about to commence his second voyage 
round the globe, and having evinced an aptitude for astronomical 
pursuits, was employed by Mr. Wales, (the astronomer in some of the 
voyages,) in assisting him in taking observations and making calcu- 
lations. On the ship’s return, availing himself of the knowledge 
he had acquired during the expedition, he set up a Naval Academy 
at Portsea ; and becoming head of the Royal Naval School there, had 
the honour of training many young gentlemen for the Royal Navy. 
Having obtained considerable wealth, he retired from his tutorial 
duties ; and on making a visit to his native village, expressed to 
Mr. Brown, one of the principal inhabitants and a churchwarden, 
his desire to confer on the parish of his birth a benefit, by which 
he should also be remembered. His wish was to build and endow 
a school in which the youth of the parish should be taught arith- 
metic and practical mathematics; but difficulties interposing to 
prevent the accomplishment of this desire, he determined to give 
(as above mentioned) an organ to the church, with a sufficiency for 
the payment of an organist, and the repairing of the instrument. 
He purchased an estate at Imber, in this county of Wilts: but if 
he ever resided there it must have been for a very short time, for 
he was living at Portsea in 1810, and died there in December of 
that year; at it what age is not recorded. 


1 The money was origin: inally placed i in private hands, it was afterwards trans- 
ferred to the Public Funds, where it now stands in the names of T. H. S. Soth- 
eron Estcourt, Esq., Wm. Macdonald, clerk, Thomas Brown, and George Skeate 
Ruddle. 


By the Ven, Archdeacon Macdonald. 151 


In the lapse of time, the open seats of the church having become 
much dilapidated, and the rest of it disfigured by unseemly and in- 
convenient pews, it was resolved in vestry, A.D. 1829, to remove the 
whole of the old and decayed seats and square pews, and by refit- 
ting to increase the accommodation of the church: which was 
accordingly effected at the expense of £490; the Society for Promo- 
ting the Building and Repairing of Churches contributing a con- 
siderable portion of the outlay. 

At the same time a ringing loft was constructed, and the steps 
in the tower leading to the belfry repaired. In a.p. 1840 the stocks 
of the bells eight in number, and the rest of the apparatus for ring- 
ing being much out of order, it became necessary to engage 
some competent person or persons to repair and render them fit for 
the purpose for which they were placed in the tower. Accordingly 
Messrs. Mears of Whitechapel were employed: and by them one 
bell was re-cast, and the whole peal, at the expense of much time 
and money, were re-hung. Since that time nothing of any im- 
portance has required to be done. 

Reeisters. The earliest Parish Register is dated a.p. 1591; 
there was no interruption down to the time of the Common- 
wealth: but from 1642 to 1650 the entries are fewer, and no 
clergyman’s name appears, as heretofore, at the foot of each page. 


CHARITIES. 


Naisu’s. Two pieces of land, each measuring about two acres, 
were given to the tything of Bishop’s Cannings for the benefit of 
the poor, by a benefactor, traditionally said to have been a Mr. 
Naish: but the name of the donor, as well as the date of the gift 
have not been so carefully recorded as they ought to have been. 
These two pieces are bestowed whenever a vacancy occurs, on the 
oldest men of the tything, born and residing in it, and in commu- 
nion with the church. The patronage is with the vicar and parish 
officers, viz., the two churchwardens and four overseers. 

There are also other lands called Church lands, consisting of 
several parcels, let on leases to different persons by the feoffees. 
It is not known how the land was originally acquired. The oldest 


152 Bishop’s Cannings. 


deed relating to it in the possession of the feoffees, is dated Febru- 
ary Oth, 1760, and is a conveyance to the feoffees therein named, 
of the several parcels of which it then consisted; all of these par- 
cels are still in the possession of the feoffees, except certain portions 
of them, which have been exchanged for other parcels, in pursu- 
ance of several Acts of inclosure. The trusts of this deed are for 
the reparation and uses of the parish church of Bishop’s Cannings, 
and for no other purpose whatsoever. These trusts have been 
faithfully executed by the present feoffees, viz., Wm. Macdonald, 
vicar of Bishop’s Cannings; Thomas Brown, William Brown, 
Charles Giddings, and Mark Sloper. 

With other charities, we must not omit to mention, though 
small in amount, those of Mr. Paul Weston, and Mr. Stevens, 
which have become unavailable for the intended objects of the 
donors. Mr. Weston left to the overseers £20, and Mr. Stevens 
£10, the interest arising from which to be distributed in bread 
among the second poor. This was regularly done every year on 
St. Paul’s day, until the present Poor Law came into force, when 
the Commissioners refused to allow it to stand on the parish 
accounts. £380 therefore lies in abeyance, and the poor lose their 
loaves. 

Tuomas Stevens. Among those who have done honour to their 
native parish by their talents, their industry, and their Christian 
beneficence, the name of Thomas Stevens, Esq., Alderman of the 
city of Bristol, is deserving of a record in this memoir. He entered 
Bristol a poor rustic boy. His father had a wish that his son 
should obtain a more profitable calling than his own, which was 
that of a labouring man, and went to Bristol (probably on foot) for 
the purpose of apprenticing him to some tradesman there. This 
was in March 1622, and at the expiration of the month he was 
apprenticed to a grocer for eight years. On the expiration of the 
term of his servitude, March 15th, 1630, he took up his freedom 
to the trade to which he had served his time, and soon after com- 
menced business on old Bristol Bridge, which ancient structure 
was then crowded with houses. Stevens was successful in trade 
and on the 15th September 1660, held so good a position in the 


a 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 153 


city, that he was chosen Sheriff, and on refusing to serve was fined 
£200. In 1668 he was elected Mayor of Bristol, and in April 
1679 he departed this life, and according to his desire was interred 
in the churchyard of St. Nicholas. By his will he left lands, &c., 
at Bridge Gate, Wick and Abson in Gloucestershire, to build and 
endow two large Alms-houses for twelve poor men and women in 
each ; one in the parish of St. Philip and Jacob, and the other in 
the parish of Temple; and at the present time the funds arising 
from the above mentioned estates are so increased as to enable the 
Trustees to pay twenty-eight poor women, who must be the widows 
or daughters of Bristol men, freemen, or born in the city, and mem- 
bers of the Church of England, in the Alms-houses, and fourteen 
out at five shillings per week each. Amongst other bequests was 
one of £10 to the poor of Bishop’s Cannings, the interest of which 
as elsewhere mentioned in this memoir, was every year distributed 
in bread amongst the second poor on St. Paul’s day. Alderman 
Stevens desired by will to be buried “with his wives and children, 
suitable to his degree and quality, and according to the usage and 
course of Bristo].” His third wife (Cecil Selfe) survived him: to 
whom he left (inter alia) “the scabbard of the sword borne before 
him when he was Mayor, and presented to him by the Sheriff. 

The Charities in the chapelry of St. James, Southbroom, consist 
of the rents of certain houses on Devizes Green, on a site purchased 
in 1757, with money given by a donor now unknown. The family 
of Eyles also gave money for the second poor: but in what way it 
was applied is not explained in the report of the Commissioners, 
1834. (Report 28, p. 369.) _ 


Dr. James Pounp. 


The family of Pound, in this parish, recently extinct in the direct 
line, was ancient and respectable, and one of the name appears as 
churchwarden in the oldest register, viz. 1591; which contains also 
the names of the forefathers of the present Browns, Slopers, and 
Ruddles, proprietors and occupiers in the parish. Of this family 
was Dr. James Pound, rector of Wanstead in Essex, the maternal 
uncle and early instructor of Dr. James Bradley, the distinguished 


iN 


154 Bishop’s Cannings. 


astronomer, and learned professor of that science at Oxford. Dr. 
Pound was a man of great ability and genius, and eminent as a 
divine, a physician and mathematician. In the two former capacities 
he went to the East Indies, in the service of the Company, and was 
one of those who had the good fortune to escape from the massacre 
of the factory on the island of Pulo Condore in Cochin China. A 
description of this shocking scene, written by Dr. Pound, is to be 
found in Dr. Bradley’s papers, in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, 
together with a journal kept by him on board the Rose sloop, giv- 
ing an account of their sufferings, until after many difficulties and 
distresses they arrived at Batavia, on the 15th of April, 1705. The 
public suffered much in this catastrophe by the loss of Dr. Pound’s 
papers, and other valuable curiosities collected by him, which all 
perished in the conflagration, as he had no time to save any thing 
but his own life. 

It was while staying with his uncle at Wanstead that Bradley 
first began his observations with the sector, which led to his future 
important discoveries.|_ Dr. Pound was born in February, 1669, 
and died at Wanstead November 16th, 1724. 


Natura, History anp GEOoLoGyY. 


With regard to the Natural History of this parish, I am not 
aware of any peculiarity. It is much the same as that of the 
surrounding district. 

There is a considerable variety in the nature and properties of 
the land, as will be evident to the reader of the following geologi- 
cal sketch, for which I am indebted to Mr. Cunnington of Devizes. 

Extensive as is the parish of Bishop’s Cannings, its geology is 
very simple. The Chalk and the Upper Green Sand are the only 
strata found within its limits; unless indeed a small portion of the 
Gault (the clay which lies immediately below the Upper Green 
Sand) may be found at Drew’s pond, or in the meadows near 
Roundway Park. But the Chalk has the largest superficial area. 
The extensive Downs of Roundway and Beckhampton are wholly 
formed of this stratum, and it is so well known, and so easily dis- 


1 See Chalmers’s Biography, Art, ‘‘ Bradley.” 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 155 


tinguished from the Upper Green Sand, that it will not be necessary 
further to define its limits. It has in the neighbourhood of Devizes 
a depth of about 500 feet, probably a little more. Roundway Hill 
is 740 feet above the sea; Morgan’s Hill 940. On the summits of 
some of the hills, there are beds of the Upper Chalk, with layers 
and nodules of flint. Here the Chalk is very pure and soft; ata 
lower level there are layers of a hard splintery limestone, occasion- 
ally of a yellowish tinge, and towards the base of the stratum it 
becomes more argillaceous, and of a grey tint; sometimes when 
wet, it approaches to a slate colour. The general appearance of 
the Chalk however is that of a soft whitish limestone: chemically 
speaking, it is carbonate of lime. In some localities, it is much af- 
fected by the weather, and breaks up into thin scales, whilst in other 
instances it is sufficiently hard and enduring to serve as a material 
for building rough walls. 

Phosphate of lime, the most valuable of all inorganic manures, 
abounds in the hard beds of the Lower Chalk. The pieces in which it 
occurs may be known by their yellowish tinge and irregular nodular 
structure. The stone containing it is much used in the town and 
neighbourhood of Devizes asa material for road making: some of it 
contains as much as 25 per cent. of phosphate of lime. In its passage 
into the Upper Green Sand, the Chalk gradually becomes mixed with 
coarse silicious sand, and the great abundance of organic remains, 
would lead to the conclusion that these particular beds were depos- 
ited at the bottom ofa shallow sea, abounding with vegetable as well 
as animal life. The fossils here found mostly constitute the nuclei 
of small masses of phosphate of lime, or they are filled with that sub- 
stance. The nodules generally contain. 40 per cent. of phosphate 
of lime. The following is the analysis of some specimens from the 
neighbourhood of Roundway, by Dr. Wrightson of Birmingham. 


Sand and silicates - 2 2 25)°'38 
Carbonate of lime 2 = 27°70 
Phosphate of lime = - - : 42°46 
Alkalies, &e. : 2 “ 4-51 
100 


156 Bishop’s Cannings. 


The presence of so large a quantity of carbonate of lime, will 
prevent the economic use of this material for some time to come; 
until the present supplies of phosphate are so far exhausted, as to 
raise its marketable value. 

It is to the abundance of phosphatic earths in the Chalk, that 
much of the fertility of the soil in this district is due. There are 
however other elements which must be taken into consideration. 
Many plants require large quantities of carbonate of lime, and it is 
absolutely necessary to the health of some species. Thus carrots 
contain 164 lbs. of lime in every ton; mangel wurzel 173 lbs., and 
turnips 55 lbs. per ton. The Chalk on the higher hills is very 
pure, and yields but few materials capable of supporting a healthy 
vegetation, and the corn crops in these situations are thin; but the 
action of the rain, frosts, &c., during many ages have tended to 
bring about, on the lower slopes of the hills, and in the vallies, 
an admixture of materials which possesses all the inorganic elements 
of fine fertile soil. In some localities, as for example, in the neigh- 
bourhood of Horton and Bishop’s Cannings, the soil partakes of 
the character of a stiff clay. This has probably been derived from 
the marly beds of the Chalk by the long continued action of rain 
water containing carbonic acid, which has dissolved the carbonate 
of lime, and carried it away, leaving the aluminous or clayey 
constituents of the Chalk undissolved on the surface. The Upper 
Green Sand too has supplied silex to the soil of many of these 
vallies. 

Fossil remains are not very abundant in the Chalk of North 
Wilts, except in the flints, and in the lower or junction beds. 
A few fine and rare Ammonites have been found on Roundway 
Hill; and in the “Fossil Shells of the Chalk,” published by 
the Palwontographical Society, at Plate x. are figures of Am- 
monites peramplus, a very fine species from this locality. The 
smaller figure is from Morgan’s Hill. In Plate xiii. of the same 
publication, are engravings of Ammonites catinus from Roundway, 
of which the late Mr. Sharpe, when President of the Geological 
Society, says, ‘This rare ammonite of which only two specimens 
have been met with, is the only species yet known in the Chalk, 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 157 


of the family of the Coronarii so abundant in the Middle Oolites.”? 
Mr. Sharpe paid Wiltshire the compliment of naming a remark- 
able, though small species, found on Morgan’s Hill, Ammonites 
Wiltoniensis. It is the only known 
specimen.! There are also some 
fossiliferous beds in the Lower 
Chalk or Chalk Marl, as for ex- 
ample on Canning’s Hill on the 


London road, and it may be re- 
emanates wilharienss (Sharpe). marked that many of the forms 
which exist in the Upper Green Sand are continued into these beds 
of the Chalk, though they cease to exist soon after the commence- 
ment of that stratum. The sponges occur very rarely in the Chalk 
itself, although so abundant in the flints. The Devizes collections 
are rich in these remains. 

The Upper Green Sand follows the outline of the Chalk hills, 
forming terraces round their bases, and throwing out picturesque 
promontories into the surrounding vallies. It is to these slopes, 
clothed as they usually are with luxuriant timber, that much of 
the beauty of the scenery around Devizes and Roundway is due. 
The greatest depth of the Upper Green Sand in this parish is about 
140 ft. It is very silicious towards the top, and mostly consists 
of a greenish quartzose sand, but the greater portion of the stratum 
is a fine sand with grains of mica. Towards the bottom, as it ap- 
proaches the Gault, it is very argillaceous, and gradually passes 
into a heavy blue clay. With the exception of certain layers or 
blocks of rough sandstone, which occur about the middle of the 
stratum, the Upper Green Sand of North Wilts yields no stone 
capable of being used as a building material. The sandstone is 
composed of sand united by a calcareous cement, probably derived 
from the decomposition of the shells which it contains, and. of these 
there is sometimes a great abundance. 

The fossils of the Upper Green Sand are usually found in the 
condition of casts only, but these are so sharp that all the charac- 
teristic linesand markings are preserved, and the species are easily 


‘The fossils mentioned above are in the collection of Mr. Cunnington, 


158 Bishop's Cannings. 


determined. Some shells, particularly some of the Pectens, are 
converted into silex, and in these instances they retain the original 
form with much minuteness and beauty. There are few localities 
in which so great a variety of fossils may be found as in this, and 
the researches of the geologist will be amply repaid by the abund- 
ance which even a few years will supply to his cabinets. 

Mr. Cunnington’s collection contains upwards of 200 species 
from this immediate neighbourhood. Several kinds of Ammonites 
are found, some of them appear to be peculiar to this locality. 
Sponges which are so fine in the Green Sand of Warminster, and 
the Vale of Pewsey, are rare in the Sand of Bishop’s Cannings, 
there are two or three species only, and these not common. 

The soil of the Upper Green Sand is variable; where it is cov- 
ered by the mixed detritus from the chalk and other beds it is very 
fertile; but in these spots where the sand itself comes to the surface 
it is very light, and is what is usually called a “hungry soil,” that 
is, it requires large quantities of manure. Not only does the light- 
ness and looseness of the sand allow the free passage of the rain 
water, and thus the soluble constituents are easily washed away, 
but the organic manures are so much exposed in these porous soils 
to the oxygen of the atmosphere, that they are rapidly decomposed. 
Where practicable, the best remedy for soils of this kind is, probably, 
the application of considerable quantities of chalk or heavy loam. 


Propuce, &c. 

From the foregoing account of the qualities of the soil, it is clear 
that any sort of cereal crop is grown with advantage; whilst the 
meadows yield pasture for the milk cows, and the Downs afford a 
range for the Southdown sheep, which are here bred in great num- 
bers. At the time in which I write, the quantity of live stock is 
as follows, Sheep, 11,310; Horses, 164; Oxen and Cows, &c., 262; 
Pigs, 323. The number of acres of different sorts of corn was in 
1856 as follows, Wheat, 1208; Barley, 226; Beans, 168; Peas, 
102; Oats, 145. The white crop is usually and for the most part 
got out by the steam engine; the beans by the flail. 

The population of the tythings of Bishop’s Cannings, Horton, 
Bourton, and Coate, according to the census of 1851, is 1246. 


By the Ven. Archdeacon Macdonald. 159 


The assessment to the poor is £8642 4s. 4d. The average rate of 
18s. 10d. the last three years was £1001 

Population of Sournsroom, 2300. 

Wages are low, frequently not exceeding seven or eight shillings 
per week, but in order to help the married labourer, a considerable 
portion of land has been set apart by the late landlord, Mr. Estcourt, 
and divided into lots of twenty perches, more or less, for which a 
very moderate rent is exacted, and for the most part very regularly 
paid. A good deal of piece-work is also done, to the great advan- 
tage of the labourer; who also receives double pay for part of his 
harvest work. Nor should it be forgotten that the poor man pays 
for his cottage much less rent than is paid in those districts where 
wages are higher. From £2 to £2 10s. per annum is the ordinary 
rent in this parish. 

Though the climate be cold, and the subsoil damp, this is on the 
whole a healthy parish, and has been particularly improved by 
draining. Rheumatism is the prevailing complaint among the 
aged; and scrofulous affections are too common. The deaths 
average a fraction above 2 per cent. of the population. 


AN ACCOUNT OF THE 


Ancient Aritish and Anglo-Saron Parrots 
ON ROUNDWAY HILL, IN THE PARISH OF BISHOP’S 


CANNINGS. 
By Mr. CunninerTon, F.G.S. 


SG so. Barrows have been opened on this spot.—The first, 
No. 1, (see map p.160) was opened in 1855, by Mr. Coward and 
Mr. Cunnington, and again in 1856. A considerable section was 
made, but nothing found except a fragment of burnt bone, and a 
piece or two of broken pottery. It is a circular and somewhat 
flat barrow, about forty feet in diameter and one foot in height. 

Barrow No. 2 is described in the Wiltshire Magazine, vol iii. 
p- 185. 

Barrow No. 3 is situated close to, and on the south side of the 
large chalk pit. It is thus described by the late Mr. Cunnington, 


160 Barrows on Roundway Hill. 


by whom it was explored in 1805. “It is circular in its form, and 
about two feet and a half in elevation. At the depth of four feet 
and a half, we found a skeleton lying from west to east, and with 
it an iron ring, and thirty bits of ivory, in form and size like chil- 
drens’ marbles cut in two: these articles were intermixed with a 


large quantity of decayed wood, which was probably once attached 
to the ivory.””! 


Ey? 
re) (eo) Barn. 
No. 7. No. 6: ‘ 
“Oliver’s” ° ; 
< E Camp. No. 1. 
Be N ¢ 
x we & Windmill 
) DES Knoll. 
en Pee | re} 
Ps Ww E : 3 No. 5. 
, 
ia 8 
8 
ok 
5 , 
y Chalk Pit. 
\ "Lis No, 2. ° QO 


No. 4. fe} No. 3. 
~ / 0 = 
~ pene te 


, n 

Plantation. Wy {a5 
pela 

' a) Q 


Leipsic 
InpDEx MAP To THE BARROWS ON RouNDWAY HILL. 


In 1855 this barrow was again opened, and an antler of a deer, 
and a medal, with the inscription, “Opened by Wm. Cunnington 
1805,” was found. The skeleton was disinterred, and the cranium 
and some of the bones having been examined by Dr. Thurnam, he 
has favoured me with the following notes on the subject. 

‘The skull is that of a man of middle age, probably about fifty 
years. Nearly all the teeth are in place, and in good condition, 
except that their crowns are considerably worn down. The nasal 
bones in this skull do not present the abrupt projection so distinc- 
tive in that from barrow No. 2. The face is large and broad, owing 
to the prominence of the cheek bones. The upper and lower jaw 
are deep and large, and strongly marked for muscular attachments. 


' Hoare’s Ancient Wiltshire, vol. ii. p. 98. 


By Mr. Cunnington. 161 


The frontal sinuses are full and prominent; the forehead is narrow 
and somewhat flat and receding. Viewed from above the skull is 
seen to have a much more lengthened oval form than that from 
barrow No. 2. (Wilts Mag. vol. iii. p. 186). The thickest parts 
of the parietals measure a third, those of the frontal bones half an 
inch. Immediately behind the coronal suture is a depression which 
extends across the parietal bones, and seems to indicate that this 
part of the skull was subject to some habitual pressure or constric- 
‘tion; from the use perhaps of some form of bandage or ligature. 
This may possibly explain the fact of the sutures of the cranium 
being more obliterated than is usual in persons of middle age. The 
capacity of the skull is large, and such as indicates a brain weigh- 
ing about 56 oz. The characteristics of this skull, though Ancient 
British or Celtic, are less strongly marked than those of the skull 
No. 2, which may perhaps point to a more modern period, though 
unfortunately the archeological evidence as to this is wanting. The 
much lighter and more decayed condition of the bones is very ap- 
parent, and agrees with the fact of the body having been interred 
in a superficial cist, and covered by a barrow of slight elevation.” 

When Dr. Thurnam made the above remark, as to the insuffici- 
ency of the archzological evidence in this case, it was impossible to 
identify this barrow as the one in which the iron ring and pieces 
of ivory were found. Our recent researches however leave no 
doubt on the subject, and thus corroborate the opinion of Dr. Thur- 
nam, that it is of a more modern period than the barrrow No. 2, 
to which he refers. It dates probably much nearer to the Roman 
period. 

Barrow No. 4 is situated on the brow of the hill, very near the 
right hand corner of the ‘“Leipsic” plantation. It is doubtless 
one of the barrows opened by the late Mr. Cunnington. It is thus 
briefly noticed in “Hoare’s Ancient Wiltshire.’”! 

“A small circular tumulus on the right hand as you reach the 
summit from Devizes.” (The main course of the track has been 
diverted from the left to the right hand of the barrow since this 
was written.) “At the depth of four feet and a half it produced 


'Vol, ii. p. 98, 


162 Barrows on Roundway Hiil 


a skeleton, lying from north to south, but without any accompani- 
ments either of arms or trinkets.” 

On re-opening the barrow, the skeleton as mentioned by Mr. 
Cunnington was found at the bottom of the cist, and with it a 
halfpenny deposited there when it was formerly opened. The cist 
is of oval shape, the longer axis is 6 feet 8 inches in length, 
the direction east and west. Some fragments of an Ancient Brit- 
ish drinking cup were found in it. The skull was unfortunately so 
much broken that its characteristics cannot be determined. Suffi- 
cient however remains to show that the person here interred was a 
young man, in height somewhat above the middle stature. The 
length of the thigh bone, 19 in. 2, would indicate a stature of 
about 5 feet 10 inches. This bone is remarkably slender in pro- 
portion to its length. The tumulus is about fifteen or eighteen 
inches high, above the level of the Down. Its diameter is about 
twenty-eight feet. 

Barrow No. 5, on “ Windmill Knoll,” is a circular barrow, forty 
feet in diameter and three and a half high. This was opened by 
Dr. Thurnam, but without result. There was a small cist, but it 
contained no bones, nor were there any signs of an interment. It 
was evident that it had been previously opened, but there is no re- 
cord of its history. 

Barrow No. 6. Thisis the long shaped barrow near Mr. Coward’s 
farm buildings, on the further side of the hill. It is an irregular 
oval, with an indistinct hour-glass contraction in the middle. It 
was as first supposed to be a “long barrow,” properly so called, but 
subsequent investigations have proved that it is formed by the fill- 
ing in of the space between two adjoining round barrows. It is 
surrounded by a fosse about eighteen inches deep. The length is 
one hundred and thirty-four feet; the greatest width is ninety-five 
feet. The general direction of the barrow is about east and west. 
Its greatest height above the surface of the chalk is seven feet, in 
the depression in the middle the height is five feet. 

A longitudinal trench was commenced from end to end of the 
tumulus, and numerous fragments of pottery, bones of sheep, ox, 
&e. were found, also a small iron spike. Near the highest point of 


By Mr. Cunnington. 163 


the barrow, and about eighteen inches below the turf a skeleton 
was discovered, but without any weapon or other relics. This is 
certainly a secondary interment. It had been previously disturbed, 
as the bones were broken and lying in much disorder, and the 
cranium had been altogether removed. Some fragments of the 
lower jaw with teeth, prove it to have been an adult. 

At forty-five feet from the eastern end of the barrow is a large 
oblong cist, ranging from west south-west to east-north east. It 
is five feet eight inches in length, by two feet five inches wide, and 
two feet deep, having a long ledge or step along the northern side. 
Large as is this cist, it contained only-a small heap of incinerated 
bones, and piled up close by, the following articles:—two neatly 
grooved whetstones of coarse silicious sandstone, and a large whet- 
stone of the same material; a flat piece of sandstone, which has 
evidently been used as a whetstone; a well made flint arrow head; 
a small flint knife; sundry flint flakes; a small bronze spear head, 
having decayed wood adhering to it, probably the remains of the 
sheath ; a long instrument, like a netting needle, formed of deer’s 
horn, and pointed at one end; a portion of deer’s horn, cut flat at 
both ends, as if to form the handle of some instrument or weapon ; 
three oblong pieces of bone, neatly smoothed, one of them bevelled 
off at the ends, and a quartz pebble. This pebble was not obtained in 
the immediate neighbourhood, and the whetstones are of a material 
not found in this county. In the earth, with which the cist was 
filled up, were numerous flint flakes, and some fragments of pot- 
tery. The incinerated bones are those of an adult, beyond this 
fact nothing can be ascertained as to the characteristics of the in- 
dividual. 

The western end of this barrow was not examined till August 
1858, on which occasion the Rector of Devizes was present. The 
former interment having been found at a distance of forty-five feet 
from the eastern end of the barrow, we marked off the same dis- 
tance from the western end, and commenced by digging a shaft. 
Immediately below the turf, evidences of human occupation of the 
spot were abundant; fragments of pottery, flint flakes, and bones of 
ox, sheep, dog, and other domestic animals were dispersed through- 


164 Barrows on Roundway Hill. 


out the soil. At the depth of two feet a small irregular layer of 
wood ashes, and some fragments of burnt bone were found. It ap- 
peared as if these were the ashes of the fire used for consuming the 
body interred below, having been thrown up on the mound after 
the interment. At five feet we reached the original soil; on which 
was a thin sprinkling of chalk. This being followed, on one side it 
was found to increase in thickness, till at last it led to the cist. 
On digging downwards, the chalk rubble suddenly gave way 
beneath the feet, disclosing a hollow cavity, as the men said, like 
an oven. The chalk that had fallen into it was cleared away, and 
we shortly arrived at the interment, which consisted of incinerated 
bones, mixed with wood ashes, heaped up in the centre, but cov- 
ered with a layer of decayed wood, which extended to a length of 
two and a half feet, and to a breadth of twelve or fourteen inches. 
Beneath the bones was another layer of wood of the same extent, 
but in a less decomposed condition, evidently the remains of a 
board. As there was a considerable thickness of this substance at 
the sides, we came to the conclusion that the burnt bones had been 
enclosed in a rude chest or coffin, the decay of which had caused 
the chalk to fall in, and thus produced the cavity mentioned above. 
Under the bones was a small bronze spear, or more probably dag- 
ger head, with three bronze rivets. The wooden handle of it, ap- 
parently about a foot in length, crumbled to dust when touched. 
The cist, contrary to that at the other end of the barrow, was 
north and south. It was oblong, the south end square, the north 
irregularly rounded; length five feet four inches, breadth three 
feet, depth three feet six inches. Total depth from the surface to 
the bottom of the cist eight feet nine inches. The bones in this, 
as in the other instance, were those of an adult. Both the cists 
were filled up with chalk, not with earth. 

No. 7. This interesting barrow was opened by the desire of the 
late E. F. Colston, Esq. in 1840. An account of the investigation 
was sent to the Devizes Gazette: by the late Mr. Stoughton Money, 
- and a description of some of the articles found in it, accompanied 
with an engraving, was published by J. Yonge Akerman, Esq., 
Secretary to the Society of Antiquaries, in his “ Remains of Pagan 


By Mr. Cunnington. 165 


Saxondom,” plate i. From these sources we obtain the following 
particulars. ‘‘The barrow in question is a small one on the apex 
of Roundway down, which though particularly mentioned by Sir 
R. Colt Hoare, somehow or other escaped examination by that in- 
defatigable antiquary. On digging into it, at the depth of seven 
feet the workmen reached the natural chalk level, and came to a 
skeleton very much decayed, which had formerly been enclosed in 
a wooden cist bound round and clamped together with strong iron 
plates or hoops. Several portions of this iron work, though in a 
very corroded state, had fibres of the wood still adhering to them, 
and remained precisely as originally placed. The skeleton lay east 
and west, the head towards the latter point. At the feet was one 
of those vessels which are sometimes discovered in the graves of 
this period, in the shape of a pail, hooped with brass, and orna- 
mented with about twenty triangular pieces of the same metal. 
Near the neck of the skeleton were found some elegant ornaments, 
consisting of garnets and vitrified pastes strongly set in gold. 

“There were also two gold pins with garnets set in the head, 
and connected by a chain of the same metal, suspended to the centre 
of which, is a small medallion bearing a cruciform pattern. This, 
and a triangular plate.of a paste-like composition, set in gold, led 
Mr. Money to the conclusion that the grave was that of a Christian 
Romanized Briton, who existed in one of the four first centuries. 
after Christ.”” Mr. Akerman however expresses a doubt on this 
subject, which we are quite inclined to support, and says that it is 
by no means certain, that the body was that of a Christianized 
Anglo-Saxon Lady, “for though the ornament in the centre of the 
chain represents a cross, we cannot receive it as a conclusive evi- 
dence of the faith of the wearer. The same remark applies to the 
triangular shaped pendant. That this form of necklace was popu- 
lar in the sixth century we may infer from the circumstance of its 
occurring on the neck of a bust of Roma, which appears on the 
coins of the Gothic monarchs, struck in Italy about this time.” 
An engraving of one of these coins is included in Mr. Akerman’s 
plate. 

Mrs. Colston having kindly allowed me a further examination 


166 Barrows on Roundway Hill. 


of the fragments of the vessel mentioned above, I have been 
enabled to ascertain its original size. It was about nine inches in 
height, and five and a half inches diameter. The wood of which 
it was formed was thin, apparently less than a quarter of an inch 
in thickness. Microscopic examination proves it not to have been 
coniferous wood. There were two hoops only, one of them is en- 
tire; they are formed of thin brass, over-lapping at the ends, and 
the joints were made with soft solder. The ornaments consist of 
rows of dots, produced by punching on the inside of the hoops. 
The broader hoop was fastened to the wood with iron rivets, the 
heads of which were plated with brass. The triangular plates are 
also of brass, they were secured to the pail by an iron rivet through 
the point of each, the broad ends being inserted under the hoop. 
They are decorated with rows of dots, similar to those on the 
hoops. i 

Mr. Akerman remarks, “That it is much to be regretted that 
the excavation of this tumulus was not superintended by some 
person accustomed to such researches, as the details which have 
reached us are not so satisfactory as could be desired.” It is in- 
deed too true that much valuable information is lost because the 
persons who open barrows are not experienced in the matter, and 
do not make full and correct observations. 

In the same year Mr. Colston made some extensive plantations 
on Roundway Hill, and in the early part of August the workmen 
disinterred three skeletons, which were found lying close together, 
a little more than a foot beneath the surface, at the bottom of an 
old trench, which takes a direction east and west across the Down, 
immediately opposite Castle Hill. They subsequently found another 
skeleton about three quarters of a furlong to the south-west of the 
last, at the same depth below the surface, but this was the most 
remarkable of the four, inasmuch as the skull exhibited two severe 
sabre wounds, one on the front, the other on the hinder part, and 
the right arm severed from the body, had been deposited between 
the legs of the corpse. The bones were those of a strong young 
man, who judging from the thigh and leg would. stand upwards of 
six feet in height. Each of the skeletons, from the comparative 


‘On the Ornithology of Wilts | Silviade]. 167 


freshness of their appearance, may be fairly assigned to the period 
at which the battle of Roundway took place, and unquestionably 
are the remains of individuals engaged in that memorable fray. 
No weapon of any kind was found with them, the bodies having 
evidently been stripped of all military accoutrements before they 
were committed to their desolate grave. It would appear that the 
greater part, if not all, of the slain were interred on the spot where 
they fell; for neither the registers of Bishop’s Cannings, Bromham, 
Heddington, nor of the three churches in Devizes, contain any re- 
cord of burials connected with the battle: the register of Rowde 
forming an exception in one instance only. Although no relics 
were found in the immediate vicinity of the skeletons, the labour- 
ers in the course of their work dug up a cannon ball weighing 
24 Ibs., a stirrup of curious form, a large spur, from half a dozen 
to a dozen bullets, and several fragments of iron, the use of which, 
owing to their decayed and shapeless state, it is difficult to ascer- 
tain. 


On the Ornithology of délilts. 


No. 9.—INSESSORES (Perchers). 
Dentirostres (tooth-billed). Continued. 
SILVIADA (The Warblers). 


HE very name of this family speaks of warmth and spring 
Fi Ais and harmony: and even in the depth of winter, conjures 
up before our imaginations lively pictures of the coppice and the 
hedgerows bursting into full leaf, radiant in the sunshine; the air 
redolent with the perfume of a thousand flowers, and filled with 
the song of countless birds: it is pleasant to bask for awhile in 
such a sunny spot, while we pass in review before us the sweet 


songsters of the grove, which compose the family we are considering. 

The warblers are the largest family amongst all the birds, I do 
not mean numerically but specifically; and with a few exceptions 
they may all be found in Wiltshire, no less than nineteen species 
being either indigenous to our county, or periodical or occasional 


168 On the Ornithology of Wilts | Silviade). 


visitants; but some of these species bear such a close resemblance to 
one another, and are so extremely difficult to distinguish from one 
another, that they will defy any but the most accurate and pains- 
taking observer to discover their personal identity. Their principal 
characteristics are elegance and gracefulness of form, a delicate 
structure and slenderness of bill, and a sweetness and richness of 
note; and though some may be disposed to cavil at the statement, 
I am inclined to the opinion that in a greater or lesser degree a// the 
species composing this family partake of these three characteristics. 

“Alpine Accentor” (Accentor alpinus.) I confess I have no right 
to head the warblers of Wiltshire with this rare visitant to our is- 
land, as I have no instance before me of its undoubted occurrence 
in this county; still from the facts, that one of the three instances 
of its occurrence given by Yarrell, was in the adjoining county of 
Somerset, from the garden of the Deanery at Wells; that the 
specimen in Mr. Marsh’s collection was said to have been killed 
near Bath; and that the opinion of that keen and accurate observer 
coincides with my own, that these birds are probably much more 
common than is generally supposed, their shy retiring habits and 
sombre plumage never making them conspicuous; from these pre- 
mises I venture to conclude that the “Alpine accentor” probably 
visits us occasionally, and I therefore give it a place in our Fauna. 
In colour it is reddish brown, but the chief distinguishing features 
which mark it at once from its congener, the common “Hedge ac- 
centor,” are its greater size and the dull-white throat, thickly spot- 
ted with black. It is not uncommon on the Continent, and is 
described as courageous and confiding, and frequenting rocks and 
stones in preference to bushes. 

“Hedge Accentor.” (Accentor modularis) well known to every 
one as the hedge sparrow, though the name is most unfortunate, 
causing it to be confused in the minds of many with the house 
sparrow, with which it has not the smallest affinity, the latter be- 
ing bold, hard billed, and grain loving, while the hedge accentor 
or hedge warbler is meek, soft billed, and insect eating. Unlike 
most of this family, the hedge warbler remains with us throughout 
the winter, and loves to creep about the bottoms of hedges and 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 169 


among shrubs, and if there is a pile of old wood lying about the 
yard, there you may invariably see its dusky figure, as it secks a 
scanty subsistence, not disdaining to search for food at the bottom 
of drains and gutters, for pride has no part in its composition, not 
one of all the race being so modest and humble as this. Its song 
though not loud nor continuous, is sweet, but chiefly prized for the 
season at which it may be heard; it sings indeed all the year 
through, but in winter amid piercing winds and frost and snow it 
is refreshing to hear the warblings of this little bird, as it sits 
perched on some shrub or bush; while, as the spring advances and 
brings in troops of other and louder warblers, nobody notices the 
poor Hedge Accentor amidst the flood of music which then abounds. 
There is one exception here however, for at this season the cuckoo 
singles out the Hedge Warbler and shows its appreciation of its 
domestic qualities, by the doubtful compliment of selecting its nest 
oftener than that of any other bird wherein to deposit her egg. 
“Redbreast.” (Sylvia rubecula.) Not only in England, bat 
throughout Northern Europe, in Sweden and Norway, Russia, 
and Germany, the Redbreast is a favourite, and has a name of en- 
dearment: with us he is Robin; in Sweden he is Tommy; in 
Norway and Russia, Peter; and in Germany, Thomas; but in’ 
Italy and France he shares the fate of all. other birds, little as well 
as big, and is mercilessly killed and eaten. Mr. Waterton says he 
has counted more than fifty lying dead on one stall at Rome, so 
that it is no wonder English travellers complain of the silence of 
the woods and fields in France and Italy, and lament the absence 
of the varied members of the feathered race which cheer and en- 
liven us at home. Now I have often heard it asked, why the Red- 
breast is so great a favourite? and its confidence in man has been 
regarded as the result of its immunity from persecution, but I ap- 
prehend this is mistaking the cause for the effect ; for this above 
all other birds is by nature tame and familiar with man, fearlessly 
venturing close to him, and by its very confidence begetting the 
protection which its innocence and bravery seem to claim: for that 
indeed must be a bad and cruel heart, which could abuse such an 
appeal, and long may our village children, and indeed all of every 
i 


170 On the Ornithology of Wilts | Silviade.]} 


age and rank respect this one at least of our winter songsters, so 
harmless, so pretty, and so confiding. 

“Redstart.” (Phenicura rubicilla.) Towards the end of April 
this handsome and interesting bird arrives in great numbers, and 
may be continually seen darting after insects on the wing, and 
capturing them with unerring precision; or running after its 
prey on the grass with equal certainty of success. In plumage it 
is the brightest and gayest of all the warblers; the female in more 
sombre hue than her mate, is clad ina dress of pale reddish brown ; 
but the male, with his jet black head and throat, bright chesnut 
breast and tail, white forehead, and grey back, presents a handsome 
appearance from the contrast and combination of colours; but the 
distinctive peculiarity of these birds consists in their spreading out 
the feathers of the orange-red tail, and jerking it from side to side, 
an action belonging to the redstarts alone, and by which they may 
be distinguished from all other birds: they delight in buildings, 
especially old walls, in the crevices of which they make their nests ; 
they are good songsters, and continue their song from morning 
till night. 

“Stonechat.” (Sawicola rubicola.) This and the two following 
‘ species comprise the genus “Chat,” and all of them are tolerably 
numerous in this county: they are pretty, little, lively, restless, 
noisy birds, and their absence would cause a sad blank on our 
Downs, which they chiefly frequent: their habit is to flirt the tail 
up and down continually, but not after the manner of the redstart. 
The stonechat is the only one which remains with us through the 
winter, and may generally be met with in stony places, or open 
pastures covered with small shrubs: it is of bright plumage, the 
head, neck, back, and throat nearly black; wing and tail coverts 
and sides of the neck white; and rich chesnut breast: it utters a 
kind of clicking note, and is for ever on the move from one stone to 
another, or from the summit of one bush to the next. Mr. Marsh 
says it is called the “ Furze Robin” in his neighbourhood. 

“ Whinchat.’’? (Sazicola rubetra.) The haunts, habits, and 
general character of this warbler are very like those of the last 
described: it is to be met with in the same localities, and though 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 171 


not quite so common as the stonechat, may often be seen on our 
Downs. Montagu speaking of it fifty years ago, says “it is plenti- 
ful in Wiltshire,’ but being a shy and solitary bird, only seen 
singly or in pairs, it is certainly not now numerous. In plumage 
it is not so gay as its congener, but prettily marked, and in colour 
mottled brown; and in song it is pronounced superior: it is also 
said, when reared from the nest in a cage, to be a skilful imitator 
of other birds. It derives its name of ‘‘ Whinchat” and “ Furze- 
chat,” from the whin or furze which it loves to frequent: with us 
it is migratory, arriving in April and departing for more Southern 
latitudes in the autumn. 

“Wheatear.” (Sazicola enanthe.) This is essentially one of our 
Down birds, and few inhabitants of Wiltshire can be ignorant of 
its handsome active figure: it loves the bare open Down, especially 
a stony Down, where it flits from stone to stone in search of its in- 
sect food: it is the largest of the genus, and very prettily marked; 
the upper part of the head and back pearl grey, the wings and 
cheeks black, the under parts pale buff, while the upper part of the 
tail is pure white, and from the singular manner in which by a 
lateral expansion of the feathers it spreads its tail like a fan, it 
may at once be recognized : it is migratory, but one of the first to 
arrive, and the last to leave us. For several years past I have 
noticed its first appearance here on or within two days of the 26th 
March: it is considered a great delicacy, and in consequence is 
much sought for in some districts; it breeds in a deserted rabbit 
burrow, or some deep hole under the turf. Mr. Marsh says, it is 
called in Wiltshire the “Horse Snatcher,” but he does not know 
the reason of the term, and the name is quite new to me. 

“Grasshopper Warbler.” (Sa/icaria locustella.) This, the most 
shy and retiring of all the warblers, derives its name from the 
rapid ticking noise which it will continue for a long time without 
intermission ; and its curious note is so like the chirp of the grass- 
hopper, that it is often mistaken for it. As soon as it arrives in 
the spring, it makes known the fact by the cricket-like ticking 
which proceeds from the midst of the very thickest bush or furze, 
where it hides itself from human sight, and here it skulks and 

L 2 


172 On the Ornithology of Wilts [Silviade]. 


ereeps, and at the bottom of the furze amid the thickest grass it 
conceals its nest: indeed so shy is it that it is rarely seen, and but 
for its incessant chirp would escape general notice. Selby calls it 
a ventriloquist, because it not only imitates the notes of several 
other birds, but in uttering its peculiar note can cause the sound 
at one moment to proceed from the immediate neighbourhood of 
the listener, and at the next, as if removed to some distance, and 
this without any actual change of place in the operator ; a pecu- 
liarity which it shares with the corn crake, also a bird very diffi- 
cult to raise on the wing. It is of elegant shape, and its plumage 
consists of mottled shades of brown. Montagu speaking of the 
localities where he had seen this bird, says, “‘we have found it in 
Hampshire, South Wales, and Ireland, but no where so plentiful 
as on Malmesbury Common in Wiltshire, to which place the males 
come about the latter end of April.’ I have also many notes of its 
occurrence in all parts of the county, but sparingly, for it is not 
so common as either of its congeners, and is much more retiring 
and timid. 

“Sedge Warbler.” (Salicaria phragmitis.) We must look for this 
elegant species by the banks of streams or the margins of lakes, 
and there amongst the tall sedge and reeds we shall be almost sure 
to find it, for it is by far the commonest of the genus, and few 
patches of sedge or willow beds are without it: it is an incessant 
songster, or rather chatterer, for its notes though very various and 
rapid, are not particularly melodious, and yet from its habit of 
singing throughout the summer’s night, it has been sometimes 
mistaken for the nightingale: when silent, it may be excited to 
renew its song by the simple expedient of throwing a stone into 
the bush where it is concealed. Its colour is on the upper parts 
oil green and yellowish brown, and below yellowish dusky white, 
but though it closely resembles its congeners in other respects, it 
may on comparison be distinguished from them by the distinct 
white streak that passes above the eyes. 

“Reed Warbler.” (Salicaria arundinacea.) Very difficult, but 
for the mark over the eye, just described, is this species to be dis- . 
tinguished from the last, which it resembles in the time of its ar- 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 173 


rival and departure, in the localities it frequents, in habits, general 
appearance, and colour: it is however not nearly so common. Mon- 
tagu says that “in Wiltshire and Somersetshire where the Sedge 
Warbler abounds, not a single Reed Warbler is to be found;”’ here, 
however, our worthy countryman is mistaken, for I have myself 
observed it by the banks of more than one reedy stream; Mr. Marsh 
has frequently seen it on the Avon; Mr. Withers has taken it near 
Devizes, and I have several other notices of its periodical appear- 
ance among us. Mr. Selby pronounces its song to be superior to 
that of the Sedge Warbler, both in volume and in sweetness, but in 
truth it requires a very accurate ear as well as eye to distinguish 
these two graceful little warblers from one another. 
“Nightingale.” (Philomela luscinia.) I need not point out the 
localities which these birds frequent, for who does not know whe- 
ther a nightingale haunts the thicket near him, and who does not 
remember the spots where he has listened to this wondrous songster 
of the grove, or as good old Izaak Walton styles it, this “chiefest 
of the little nimble musicians of the air that warble forth their 
curious ditties, with which nature has furnished them, to the shame 
of art?” But the nightingale seems very fanciful in her selection 
of habitation, and is guided by some choice which we cannot 
fathom: in the most western and warmest parts of our island it is 
rarely heard, and in our own county while one wood resounds night 
after night, and year after year with their wondrous melody, a 
neighbouring copse, apparently in all respects equally suited to 
their tastes, is never honoured by their presence. It arrives here 
towards the end of April or beginning of May, and being of a very 
shy, timid nature, seeks the thickest hedges and most impenetrable 
copses, where though so often listened to, it is rarely seen, and few 
are acquainted with the form of the humble but elegant little brown 
bird, which charms them so with its unrivalled song. Its name 
is derived (as Pennant informs us) from our English night, and the 
Saxon word galan to sing; not however that it is silent during the 
day, but then the chorus of voices, loud and shrill and numerous, 
drown it so that it cannot so readily be distinguished as in the witch- 
ing hour of twilight, when other songsters are hushed in repose. 


174 On the Ornithology of Wilts [ Silviade]. 


“ Blackcap Warbler.” (Curruca atricapilla.) This active little war- 
bler is second only to the nightingale in song, and being a regular 
summer visitant to our gardens and orchards, as well as hedgerows, 
is known to most observers: its general colour is ash grey, but its 
jet black head marks it at once from all others: insects and fruit 
are its favourite food, but few will quarrel with it on the latter ac- 
count, as it makes ample amends for any petty thefts it may com- 
mit in the garden by the sweetness of its song, and its interesting 
and engaging manners: it is a timid bird and very restless, scarcely 
stationary an instant, except when it pours forth its rich and clear 
notes from the top of some tree or bush. Mr. Marsh thinks it is 
not very common in Wiltshire, but my own observation does not 
agree here, as I have seen it frequently in many parts of the county; 
and it arrives here as well as in the neighbourhood of Devizes re- 
gularly every spring in some numbers. 

“Garden Warbler.” (Curruca hortensis.) Though closely re- 
sembling in general colour and appearance several others of this 
family, the garden warbler may on comparison be distinguished 
from its congeners by its superior size, being nearly an inch longer 
than any other species answering to the same description. Its 
plumage is greyish green above, and greenish yellow below: it is 
even more restless, more shy, and more retiring than the last de- 
scribed, and is at least equally common. It frequents the same 
localities, has the same propensity for fruit, and is an excellent 
songster: this and the two following species are indiscriminately 
called ‘‘ Nettle Creepers” by our Wiltshire lads. It is the “Greater 
Pettychaps” of Pennant, Latham, Montagu, White, and our ear- 
lier ornithologists: and it is the famous “ Beccafico,” so highly 
prized as an epicure’s morsel in Italy and France. Montagu says 
of it; ‘In Wiltshire where I have found this species not uncommon, 
it resorts to gardens in the latter end of summer, together with the 
Whitethroat and Blackcap for the sake of currants and other fruit.” 

“Common Whitethroat.” (Curruca cinerea.) This is the com- 
monest of all our little summer warblers, and may be seen in every 
shady lane or thick hedge, almost in every bramble and bed of 
nettles. Its head and’back are light brown, under parts dusky 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 175 


white slightly tinged with rose red: in habits it resembles its con- 
geners previously described; but it has one peculiarity, which 
consists in its often singing on the wing, as it rises with a very 
peculiar flight, sailing round in little circles, till it attains a con- 
siderable height in the air, and then descends slowly to the same 
spot whence it started: at other times it will erect its crest, puff 
out its throat, stretch its neck, and exhibit every mark of excite- 
ment and defiance, while it seems to strain every nerve to raise its 
voice above its rivals. 

“Lesser Whitethroat.” (Curruca sylviella.) Quite as common 
in Wiltshire, if not more so, than the last, with which it is often 
confounded. Indeed the eggs of this and the preceding species 
form a large proportion of the whole on every schoolboy’s string, 
a table by the way of no mean authority in calculating the abund- 
ance or rarity of any species in any particular locality. It is-even 
more retiring than its larger namesake, and creeps away out of 
sight among the brambles the instant it is discovered, threading 
its way with the rapidity and adroitness of the mouse. From the 
peculiar character of its note, a low soft warble, it is called the 
“Babbling Warbler,” and by Continental naturalists, “C. garrula,” 
and “ Bec-fin babillard;’ and from the clicking sounds with which 
it repeats its call-note, somewhat resembling a mill-wheel, it is 
styled in German “Miillerchen,” or “Little Miller.” Montagu 
says that he observed the arrival of this bird in Wiltshire for seve- 
ral years together, and that it ranged from April 21st to May 10th. 

“Wood Warbler.” (Sylvia sylvicola.) Extremely difficult is it 
to identify this pretty little bird from its two congeners, more par- 
ticularly from the one next to be described: both are graceful and 
elegant, and frequent woods and plantations; both have a plumage 
of grey green above and primrose yellow below: both feed on in- 
sects, and sing sweetly from the top of some tall tree. There are 
however several marks by which we may distinguish them; on 
close examination, we shall find that the wood warbler has a purer 
green on the upper parts of its body, and more white on its under 
plumage, while the willow warbler has more yellow: and again, 
the nest of the wood warbler is always lined with fine grass and 


176 _ On the Ornithology of Wiilts [Silviade]. 


hair, while that of the willow warbler contains feathers. To Gil- 
bert White is due the credit of separating and calling attention to 
the points of difference between these closely allied species, and his 
19th letter to Pennant is entirely occupied with this subject. The 
wood warbler (called by White the “Sibilous Pettychaps,”’) is a 
trifle larger than its congeners, and has a remarkable tremulous note; 
hence its scientific name: it is not so numerous as the other species, 
but it visits us annually, and I have often met with its nest near 
Devizes. 

“Willow Warbler.” (Sylvia trochilus.) This is by far the most 
abundant of the genus, and may be seen in every plantation and 
hedgerow, but ehiefly in meadows intersected with streams and 
water courses, which give birth to osiers and willows, for amongst 
these it delights to revel. In addition to the points of difference 
mentioned above, it far surpasses its congeners in song, indeed so 
sweet and musical are its notes, as to give it the sobriquet of the 
“‘Warbling Pettychaps,” and “ Melodious Willow Wren.” Gilbert 


? 


White says it has a “joyous, easy, laughing note;” it is constantly 
in motion, flitting from branch to branch, in search of the smaller 
insects that constitute its food. 

“ Chiff Chaff.” (Sylvia hippolais.) This is one of our earliest 
spring arrivals, making its appearance in March, and immediately 
beginning its monotonous song of two notes, which it continues to 
repeat throughout the summer, and from whence it derives its name. 
It is the smallest of the three species, and differs very little from 
the last, but may be always distinguished by the dark colour of its 
legs and feet, those of the Willow Warbler being of a pale brown: 
it is much more familiar than its congeners, and as it reaches us be- 
fore the trees and hedges are in leaf, is more frequently seen and 
better known. It is sometimes styled the ‘“‘ Lesser Pettychaps, and 
is sprightly and active. 

“Dartford Warbler.” (MMelizophilus Dartfordiensis.) I have 
many instances before me of the occurrence of this pretty little 
warbler in Wiltshire, though I have no personal acquaintance with 
it in a living state. It is said to frequent open Downs and com- 
mons abounding in furze, in the thickest parts of which it will 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 177 


. 
conceal itself: and over which it will hover on outstretched wing, 
while it utters its short hurried note. It is a hardy bird, and re- 
mains here throughout the year: its body is very small, scarcely 
exceeding that of the common wren, but its great length of tail 
gives it the appearance of superior bulk: the general colour of its 
plumage is dark brown above, and chesnut brown beneath. Mr. 
Withers informs me that some years since, several of these birds 
were shot annually by Mr. Edwards at Amesbury: they were de- 
coyed from the midst of the bush wherein they concealed themselves 
by a certain noise made by Mr. Edwards, when they rose to the 
top spray and were easily killed. Mr. Marsh was also informed by 
the man who procured the specimen in his collection, that by imi- 
tating their note he could bring these birds to the top of the furze, 
and that he had so killed three in one morning in the neighbour- 
hood of Chippenham. 

“Golden Crested Regulus.” (Regulus cristatus.) Well known to 
every one is this charming little favourite, the smallest and most 
fairy like of all our British birds; three inches and a half only in 
length, and 75 grains in weight, yet it braves the cold of winter, 
and remains with us throughout the year. It prefers fir planta- 
tions, but may be seen in hedgerows and gardens: it is incessant 
in motion, hopping from branch to branch, now clinging to the 
under boughs of the firs with back downwards, in search of its in- 
sect food; wherein it closely resembles the titmice, with which it 
often associates; now hovering over a twig or flower, suspended in 
the air, and fluttering its wings, and all the while singing melo- 
diously; wherein it resembles the little warblers last described, and 
so forming a link between the two families. Its colours are brown- 
ish green and greenish yellow, while its head is ornamented with 
a stripe of long silky feathers, yellow tipped with orange, forming 
a golden crown. It abounds in this county, as I know by personal 
observation, and it sometimes breeds in my garden. 


PARIDA® (The Titmice). 
Exceedingly interesting are all the members of this pert active 
family, ever restless, creeping and running and flitting from bough 


178 e On the Ornithology of Wilts | Paride]. 


to bough, in quest of insect food; careless whether they are hang- 
ing beneath or climbing along, or running up or down the branch; 
hardy too, for they are all permanent residents here; chattering, 
and bold and familiar and pugnacious withal. The genus Parus 
contains in all seven species, of which five are to be found abund- 
antly in Wiltshire, the remaining two, the “Crested Tit,” (Parus 
cristatus) and the “Bearded Tit,” (Parus biarmicus) being of very 
rare occurrence in England, and no instance having reached me of 
the appearance of either of them in this county. 

“Great Titmouse.” (Parus major.) First in point of size, and 
therefore at the head of the family, stands this well known bird, 
whose peculiar markings and well contrasted colours render it un- 
mistakeable. The black head, white cheeks, and yellow breast 
parted down the middle by a broad black stripe, distinguish it 
at once from all others. The Great Tit is to be found in every 
wooded district, and it clears the buds and leaves of trees from an 
incredible number of insects; but it loves fruit as well, and being 
somewhat bold, fierce, and bloodthirsty, will occasionally vary its 
diet with the flesh of some dead bird, whose bones it picks with 
wonderful skill. ‘ 

“Blue Titmouse.” (Parus ceruleus.) Commonly called the 
“Tom Tit,” and as well known by its blue cap and pert appear- 
ance, as by its lively active habits: like the Great Tit, its efforts 
are directed not against the buds and blossoms, with which it is so 
often charged, but against the larvee and eggs of the insect tribe, 
which are therein deposited in incredible quantities, and which 
these useful little birds seek out and consume: it is for its size, the 
most bold and pugnacious of the feathered race, and will attack 
and sometimes kill birds considerably larger and heavier than it- 
self. It is so constantly before our eyes, that I need say no more 
of its appearance or habits. 

“ Cole Titmouse.” (Parus ater.) Not so common as the two last 
species, but generally distributed, and of similar habits: it closely 
resembles in appearance the Marsh Tit, next to be described, both 
having black heads, white cheeks, and greyish olive-green backs, 
but the Cole Titmouse may at once be recognized by the irregular 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 179 


* 


white patch at the back of its neck, which is totally wanting in the 
Marsh Tit. 

“Marsh Titmouse.” (Parus palustris.) The specific name points 
out the localities which this Tit frequents. I should say it is not 
so common in this county as the last, at least I have not met with 
it so often; but wherever there is moist ground, and alders and 
willows flourish, there it may frequently be seen. 

“Long-tailed Titmouse.” (Parus caudatus.) This very ball of 
feathers with a long tail is common in all woods, and may be found 
in hedgerows, but rarely visits our gardens: its body is scarcely 
bigger than that of the “Golden Crested Regulus,” but its very 
long tail, and its habit of puffing out its feathers give it an appear- 
ance of greater size than it really possesses: its beautiful oval nest, 
so cleverly formed of moss and wool, coated with lichen and lined 
with feathers, is the greatest marvel of the kind we possess in this 
country, and in this snug cradle it will rear twelve or more young; 
and in the winter months you may see the whole family, including 
the parents, flitting with undulating movements from tree to tree, 
and hanging in an inverted position from the ends of the small 
twigs, while in search of insect food. It is sometimes called pro- 
vincially ‘Bottle Tom” from the shape of its nest, and in this 
county is generally styled ‘‘ Huckmuck,” a truly Wiltshire word, 
the derivation of which I cannot fathom. 


AMPELIDZ! ( Waawings). 


Of the family of Fruit-eaters we have but one single example 
occurring in England: their characteristics are short bill but wide 
gape, enabling them to swallow whole the large berries and fruits 
on which they feed; and short legs and feet formed for perching, 
as they are never seen on the ground. The single species visiting 
us is styled the 

“Bohemian Waxwing.” (Bombycilla garrula.) Called also the 
“Silktail,” and “Chatterer;” it is a winter visitant, and though 
it occasionally comes in some numbers, it is by no means regular 
or periodical in its arrival ; an interval of several years often elaps- 
ing between its visits. It is recorded by Ray to have appeared in 


180 On the Ornithology of Wilts [ Motaciilide}. 


this country in large flocks in the winter of 1685: Gilbert White 
records its visit in 1767: Bewick in 1790, 1791: Selby in 1810, 
1822, and 1823: Yarrell in 1830, 1831, 1834, and 1835, since 
which with the exception of an occasional straggler it has only ap- 
peared in 1848 and 1850, the latter year in immense numbers, and 
nothing has been seen of it in England since. Its true habitat is 
Northern Asia, and the North Eastern parts of Europe, where a 
friend of mine two years since discovered its nest and eggs which 
up to that time were unknown to science. It is a handsome, gay 
bird, of a cinnamon brown colour, tinged with red: the feathers 
on the head are long and silky in texture, forming a crest, but the 
peculiarity from which it takes its name, consists in its having on 
the tips of the wing quill feathers, little flat scarlet horny append- 
ages, exactly resembling drops of red sealing wax: the tail fea- 
thers are tipped with pale yellow. Its natural food appears to be 
the berries of the hawthorn, juniper, and mountain ash; and it 
usually associates in flocks. I was told in Norway that this bird 
visits that country also at irregular periods, many years sometimes 
elapsing between its visits. It was as abundant throughout Scan- 
dinavia in 1850 as it was here. I have many notices of its occur- 
rence in this county. Mr. Marsh has seen it in the woods at Win- 
terslow, and states ‘that a pair were killed in Clarendon Park in 
1820. Mr. Withers tells me that many were killed at Potterne in 
1850; and (besides a few more instances) the Rev. H. Hare of 
Bradford sent me notice of one killed in his field Dec. 7th, 1857. 


MOTACILLIDA (The Wagtaiis). 


Graceful and elegant are the epithets best suited to this family, 
as everybody will confess who has watched their engaging manners, 
running along the grass-plots, darting by the streams, and ever 
flirting their long tails, which alone seem to preserve their equili- 
brium, as they hurry this side and that, and seem in danger of 
losing their balance. They are of slender form and very active, 
the lightest and most buoyant of birds; and as most of them re- 
main with us during the winter, they are doubly valued and doubly 
welcome. 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 181 


“Pied Wagtail.” (Motacilla Yarrellii.) No one can be ignorant 
of this very common bird, with its party coloured dress of black and 
white: its food consists of insects which it finds in running over 
the grass, or on the margins of streams and lakes, in the shallow 
waters of which it will wade in search of its tiny prey. Gilbert 
White also long ago called attention to its habit, which we may 
constantly verify, of running close up to feeding cows, in order to 
avail itself of the flies that settle on their legs, and other insects 
roused by the trampling of their feet. A pair of these pretty birds 
return every year to rear their young in a rose tree trained against 
my house. The provincial name for it here is ‘“‘ Dishwasher.” 

“Grey Wagtail.” (Motacilla boarula.) By uo means common, 
but yet generally though sparingly dispersed, and to be found in 
most localities: it is even more graceful and slender, and has a 
still longer tail than the last; its prevailing colours are slate-grey 
above, and bright yellow below, with black throat, wings, and tail: 
it haunts the margins of streams, which it seldom leaves, and is on 
the whole less sociable and familiar than its pied relative: like the 
last, it remains here throughout the winter. 

“Grey-headed Wagtail.”’ (Motacilla neglecta.) I place this rare 
wagtail amongst the Wiltshire birds, on the authority of Mr. 
Marsh, who possesses a specimen killed at Marshfield near Chip- 
penham, in Oct. 1841. It bears so close a resemblance in every 
respect to the next to be described, that it is extremely difficult to 
see any difference between them: it may however be distinguished 
by the white line over the eyes, which in Rays Wagtail is yellow ; 
and by the grey head, which in M. flava is light olive: moreover, 
it is a winter visitant when MW. flava has left us. 

“Rays Wagtail.” (Motacitla flava.) This is our common yellow 
wagtail, which flocks here every summer, and leaves us in the 
autumn: it frequents open plantations and arable land, has a 
shorter tail, and is altogether less graceful than the Grey Wagtail : 
in colour too it is more yellow, the olive-green of its upper plumage 
partaking of the yellow tinge, which is so bright and clear below. 


ANTHIDA® (The Pipits). 
This is the last family of the tooth-billed tribe, and it forms an 


182 On the Ornithology of Wilts { Anthide}. 


excellent connecting link between the soft-billed insect eaters, and 
the hard-billed grain consumers. In many respects allied to the 
wagtails last described, in others nearly resembling the larks, the 
first family of the Conirostral tribe, it is however a true soft-billed 
race, and subsists entirely on insects. 

“ Tree Pipit.” (Anthus arboreus.) This is a summer visitor, and 
though far from common, may be seen in most woodland districts: 
it is by far the most beautiful of the genus, and the sweetest song- 
ster; and has a habit of rising above the top of some tall tree, and 
singing with outstretched wings on its descent: in colour it very 
much resembles the larks; is somewhat larger than its congener 
next to be described, from which it differs in the stronger and 
broader bill, and in the short and hooked hind claw: also its gait 
on the ground is a slow walk, while the “ Meadow Pipit”’ runs af- 
ter the manner of the wagtails. 

“Meadow Pipit.” (Anthus pratensis.) Very common, especially 
on our furze-clad Downs, where it remains the whole year, though 
it will occasionally assemble in flocks, and haunts stubble and tur- 
nip fields in winter: it is generally known as the Titlark, and sings 
in the air as it descends to the earth, as its cousin the Tree Pipit 
does in descending to some lofty tree top; it is a quiet, unobtrusive 
bird, builds its nest on the ground, and is very frequently the fos- 
ter parent of the young cuckoo: its hind toe is furnished with an 
elongated and straightened claw: its bill is slender; it warbles 
rather than sings; and its flight consists in short jerks. Mr. 
Marsh says that its scent is so strong, that pointers commonly mis- 
take it for the partridge, indeed much more frequently than they 
do the skylark. 

This closes the list of the tooth-billed perchers, resident in or 
visiting Wiltshire. 

ALFRED CHARLES SMITH. 


Yatesbury Rectory, Calne, 
February 8th, 1859. 


183 


Frauds and Forgeries of “Antiques.” 


aS... following observations, on the various frauds which have 
Ril 


been practised in forging or falsifying works of art and an- 
tiquity, were made by A. W. Franks, Esq., at a Meeting of the 
Society of Antiquaries 16th Dec. 1858. As they may be of use 
in warning Archzologists and the public against imposition, it has 
been thought desirable to give a further circulation to them in 
our Provincial Magazine. 


‘The exhibition of some leaden objects at our last meeting gave rise to 
observations on the system of counterfeiting ancient works of art, to the detri- 
ment of archeological science, and the discouragement of many from pursuing 
the study of antiquities. I have therefore thought that it might be acceptable 
to the Fellows of the Society to have an opportunity of examining a few speci- 
mens of such counterfeits, and of hearing a few observations on the subject. 

“« The forging of flint arrow-heads has been brought before the Society on two 
former occasions,* and has likewise been noticed in the Archeological Journal, 
vol. xiii. pp. 85, 104, and 411. The modern arrow-heads appear to have been 
manufactured in Yorkshire, though itinerants have offered them for sale in 
other parts of England, and still continue to do so. They are stated to have 
been made by a man who resides or used to reside at Fylingdales, close to Robin 
Hood’s Bay.+ The dusty appearance of the surface is said to be produced by 
boiling them in mud. The best criterion of the genuineness of arrow-heads 
and other objects in flint is the state of the surface, as, except under certain 
rare conditions, the outer coat of the flint becomes oxydised by long contact 
with the earth. Another fraud has been practised with regard to flints, which 
I think was first exposed by Mr. Syer Cuming, which consists in obtaining chips 
of flint from some old manufactories for making gun-flints on the north coast of 
Kent, and pretending that they were discovered in British urns.t Celts of 
basalt are said to be manufactured in the North of Ireland, and I have reason 
to believe that some stone axe-heads, of very peculiar form, have been fabri- 
cated in Yorkshire. British urns have been forged in the neighbourhood of 
Scarborough. ‘The same district has furnished the numerous jet seals which 
have appeared in various parts of England, and the original type of which is the 
genuine seal of Osbert de Hilton in the Whitby Museum. We appear to be 
indebted to Italy for the greater part of the forged matrices of seals in brass 
which are to be found in curiosity shops. They are, however, simply casts from 


* Proceedings, vol. iv p. 5, and 233, 
+ Archwological Journal, vol. xiii. p. 411. 
t Journal of British Archwological Association, vol. xiv. p. 94. 


184 Frauds and Forgeries of “ Antiques.” 


other matrices, or from ancient impressions of seals: and, therefore, although 
they are worthless as being of modern make, the designs upon them are really 
old, and perhaps will only reach us through their means. 

‘‘ Before entering on the question of forgeries of classical antiquities, it may 
be well to say a few words on a matter relating to our own country, in which 
the fraud does not rest with the articles themselves, but with the circumstances 
under which they are stated to have been discovered. The older collectors 
regarded but little the locality in which, or the circumstances under which, the 
various relics were found ; but this is no longer the case. The numerous local 
antiquaries who have sprung up since archeology has been more carefully 
studied, are anxious to obtain antiquities from some particular locality, and are 
prepared to pay larger prices for them in consequence. Spurious localities are 
therefore invented, and Greek, Etruscan, Egyptian, and Italian antiquities are 
palmed off on the unwary as having been found in his own native soil. I have 
been informed by dealers in curiosities that labourers frequently come to their 
shops and purchase miscellaneous rubbish to be retailed to any stray archzolo- 
gist who should venture near their work.* I remember some years since being 
shown a modern Abyssinian sandal duly steeped in oil, which purported to have 
been found in Roman London ; and I have seen even Greek vases, which were 
said to be found in digging the foundations in the city ; one of them I strongly 
suspect to have been recently brought from the Cyrenaica, and another had all 
the marks of having been through the hands of an Italian restorer of modern 
times. Such frauds are carried on to a great extent in coins, and the recent 
works in the city have supplied a profitable outlet for the rubbish of coin sales. 

‘With regard to foreign antiquities, forgeries of Egyptian remains are not 
unfrequent, some of them shewing considerable skill in their workmanship. 
Mr. Cuming has recorded in the Journal of the British Archeological Associa- 
tion his having seen some scarabzei, formed of amethyst which had been manu- 
factured in this country for a foreign market.t+ Italy has not been behind hand 
in seeking for fraudulent gain; although its ancient soil teems with remains of 
the past, the number does not seem to be sufficient to supply the demands of the 
travellers of all nations who visitit, and accordingly terra-cotta figures, bronzes, 
vases, gems, &e., appear as required, and are carried home as trophies by the 
deluded traveller. Such fabrications are of some standing. The clever imita- 
tions of Roman coins produced by those famous Paduan artists, Giovanni Cavino 
and Alessandro Bassiano, are well known,{ and in several museums are to be 
found bronze lacrymatories which, from the inscription upon them, purport to 
contain the tears of Czesar’s wife. At the commencement of the last century, 
several supposititious remains of Christian antiquity appear to have been fabric- 
ated, including, as I have been informed by a distinguished foreign archeologist, 
some of the small pictures formed of gold and glass, made in imitation of those 
found in the Catacombs, which are so much valued in museums. The imitation 
of ancient glass vessels seems to be carried on at Naples, and is well exemplified 


* For an account of similar trauds see Journal of British Archeological Association, vol. ix. p. 89, 
and vol. xi. p. 72. Much credit is due to Mr. Gunston and Mr. Syer Cuming for having exposed 
these frauds. 

+ Journal of British Archeological Association, vol xi. p. 72. 

See a catalogue of their works in ‘‘Cabinet de l’Amateur et de ]’Antiquaire,” tom. i. p. 586. 

Paris, 1842. 


Frauds and Forgeries of “Antiques.” 185 


by the specimen on the table, which I am enabled to exhibit by the kindness of 
a friend; a broken Venetian vase, of remarkably fine form, has been taken, 
the missing foot supplied by one of terracotta, and the whole covered with 
some glutinous matter which serves to fix on the surface decomposed flakes of 
ancient glass, concealing the fractures and the discrepancy between the body 
and the foot. The wonderful skill with which ancient gems were imitated has 
caused the comparative neglect under which that interesting branch of archxo- 
logy has fallen in this country. 

‘ With regard to medieval and cinque-cento works of art, the same fraudu- 
lent practices are carried on. In imitating ivory carvings, the forgers have 
been very industrious, and have practised with considerable success their ne- 
farious trade. There seems to be two distinct schools of fabrication. One, the 
French, situated, I believe, in the south-east of France, which has confined its 
attention chiefly to Gothic carvings, several of which I have seen for sale in 
London. The other school is German, probably not far from the Rhine, and 
its productions are marked by considerable erudition; it generally imitates 
Roman or Romanesque carvings. 

‘« Enamels have been also extensively copied; and I may here remark that 
specimens, imitating nearly all the different varieties of enamel work, were to 
be met with in the Manchester Exhibition. The early German and Limoges 
enamels have been very skilfully imitated, and a very competent judge may be 
deceived by the practice of restoring, by filling up with enamel, specimens from 
which the vitreous matter has been decayed or removed by violence. The skill 
with which the later Limoges enamels haye been copied is shown by a trial 
which has recently taken place in France: according to the statement published 
in the papers, M. Boissel de Monyville, a distinguished collector and a good 
judge of articles of virtu, and who purchases such things to a large extent for 
the sons of Baron Rothschild, had bought for those gentlemen various specimens 
of Limoges enamels, such as cups, vases, and saltcellars, from one Chalvet, a 
bookseller, who had taken him to Arles and various other places to see these 
pretended antiques. It appears that a man named Pierat was the actual fabri- 
cator, and had employed Chalvet as his agent. The deception seems to have 
been very cleverly carried out. The tribunal came to the satisfactory result of 
condemning Pierat to fifteen months’ imprisonment and 1000 franes fine. Italian 
Majolica has likewise found its imitators—not merely its legitimate imitators, 
like Minton and the Imperial manufactory at Sevres, but also fraudulent copiers, 
who seek to give all the imperfections of the old ware, and imitate marks in 
order to deceive collectors. Some of this ware is made at the manufactory at 
Doceia, near Florence, where probably was produced the specimen I now exhibit 
—a plate with a clever sketch of a Satyr’s head, 

“Similar frauds are daily carried on in porcelain. Much of the fine old blue 
and white oriental China, which used to adorn our grandmothers’ corner cup- 
boards, has been coloured and gilded, to give it a more gay appearance, and the 
repainting of Dresden and Sevres is very extensively carried on, With regard 
to Dresden porcelain, it is useful to remember that when the specimens are sent 
out ynpainted a grooved and indelible cut is made at the manufactory across 
the blue swords, with which the china is marked, so that, in the case of all 
coloured specimens, the existence of the cut shows that the decoration has been 


M 


186 Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. a.v. 1591. 


put on elsewhere. Sevres is most cleverly imitated, and fraudulently imitated, 
at some of the English porcelain works, even to copying all the old marks; and 
I have been told that some of it is exported to the continent in order to return 
here as foreign porcelain. 

“‘The forgeries of coins are equally numerous and extensive. The best 
imitations of Greek Coins seem to be made in the Greek Islands and in India. 
The latter are generally cast, but the former are struck from false dies. Becker, 
a German forger, produced an immense number of false coins, ranging over the 
whole extent of numismatics; a valuable set of impressions from his dies is 
preserved in the British Museum, and has served to convince many a collector 
of the falseness of some of his specimens. The best forgeries of English coins 
were made by Emery: a man named Singleton is also said to have been simi- 
larly employed. 

“Tn fact there is scarcely an object in the range of ancient or medieval art to 
which the attention of the forger has not been given, seeking his ill-gotten 
gains at the expense of the hapless collector, and tending to depreciate the value 
even of the genuine remains of the past by his dishonest industry.” 


Duchy of Hancaster. Surbey of rts alanors 
IN CO. WILTS, TAKEN 33 Etzz. (a.D. 1591.) 
z SHE following documents have been obtained by C. E. Long, 


 Ksq., from the Duchy of Lancaster Office: and are ex- 
Harta from the ‘Second Book of Surveys xxxiii. Eliz. Northamp- 
ton and Wilts.” They relate to the Manors of 1. Norru SranpEn 
(near Hungerford.) 2. Atsourne. 3. Hannineton (near High- 
worth.) 4. Upavon. 5. Easrerron Grrnon (in the parish of 
East or Market Lavington.) 6. Mannincrorp Bouuy. 7. EvEr- 
Ley. 8. Nerweravon. 9. Berwick Sr. James. 10. Poors. 11. 
Oaxsry. 12. AsHury (near Tetbury.) 18. Brapon Forest. 

It is to be remembered that the “ Freeholders,” &c., mentioned 
in the Survey do not necessarily imply al/ the freeholders in the 
several parishes: but merely those connected with the Duchy of 
Lancaster property in each parish. The No. of Acres, and the 
Rent, also apply only to the Duchy estates. 


Besides those named in this Survey there were in the county of 
Wilts other manors, or parcels of estates, that in earlier times are 
found connected with the Duchy; having formed part of the in- 
heritance either of the Bohuns, Earls of Hereford, or of the Earls 
of Lancaster: as at Amesbury, Alton Berners, Collingbourne Ducis, 


Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. a.p. 1591. 187 


Chesingbury de la Folie, Chitterne, Crofton, Chirton, Luckington, 
Sheepridge, Shrewton, Trowbridge, Wilsford, Winterbourne Earl’s, 
and Yatton Keynell, (See Nom. Villarum and “ Hundred Rolls.” 

Among the Printed Public Records also are the Duchy Charters 
from Hen. IV. to Edw. IV., and the-Inq. p.m. from 1. Hen. V. to 
16. Chas. I. In Manuscript, are the Patents of Officers from 1. 
Hen. VIII. in the Bodleian Library; and a catalogue of Charters 
in the Ashmol. Libr., Oxford. The Fee farm Rent Rolls (temp. 
Commonwealth) in the Augmentations Office: and Collections by 
the 3 Holmeses, in British Museum: a Rental for Wilts 1636, 1640, 
and Estates not granted in Fee, in Univ. Lib. Cambridge. 


1.—Nortu Sranven (alias Standen Chaworth). 6 Aug. 1591. 


- “The manor of Standen Northe. (fol. 18.) 
“Te bondarie —_“ That it beginneth and as they thinck moost fitt on 

mm the northe parte of the saide mannor at a yeatt there 
called Marshe yeatt, from thence eastwarde alonge by the brooke 
there to Fremans Marshe to a hedge there w‘h devideth this mannor 
and the mannor of Hungerforde, and soe ffollowinge the saide hedge 
southwarde to thende therof compassinge in Claye meade; there 
hence south-westwarde to a hedge of Thoms Goddardes gent., w’h 
devideth this mannor and the mannor of South Standen, and soe 
contynuinge the saide hedge south-westwarde to Southfielde, com- 
passinge in the same fielde with a closse in the south-west corn: 
_ therof, therehence leading northwarde by the hedge there to Littell 
Bedwynn yeate, from thence eastwarde as the waie leadeth to the 
comon downe, retorninge to the hedge on the north pte therof, 
followinge the same hedge eastwarde to Marshe yeat aforesaide, 
where it beganne. Within w‘h circuitte and boundarie all waieffes, 
straies, &c., and all other thinges incident to a royaltie doe belonge 
unto her Ma“ &c. 

““Woodes there. (fol. 19.) 

“There are within the saide mannor v seu'all woodes and cop- 
| pices apptayninge to her Ma‘ viz., Highe woode cont. xxv acres, 
'| Frithe woode cont. x acres, Comesanger woode cont. iij acres, Trim- 
\| lane woode cont. x acres, and Littell woode cont. v acres. 

M2 


188 Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. a.p. 1591. 


“Land ivinge « Alsoe there apptayneth unto this mannor iij seuerall 


mame andes lyinge w‘hin the mannor of Hungerforde and 
in the west fielde therof by Lanchierd, cont. by-estimacon vj acres. 
“Tande inge ~— “ And alsoe two acres of meadowe in Woodmarshe 
mamers__ meadowe within the mannor of East Garton. One other 
meadowe benorthe the water leadinge to Fremans marshe cont. vj 
acres. One other meadowe bewest the waie that leadeth from 
Hungerforde to Mr. Thomas Goddardes called Brownes meadowe, 
cont. iiij acres. All wh doe belonge unto this mannor and are 

peell of the same. 
“The scituacon of the said mannor. (fol. 19a.) 

“‘Beinge neare two miles southwest from Hungerforde, the soile © 
whereof somewhat barren for the moost pte, beinge heretofore rea- 
sonablie well wooded with a small river or brooke on the — part 
thereof.” 

Edward Hungerford held the manor. Acres 608. Rent £13 
18s. 4d. Copyholders, Richard Blisse, Thomas Checken, Robert 
Arnold and Edmund Hungerford, Walter Burtin and William his 
son. 

2.—ALBOURNE. 

The Survey of the Manor of “Aldeborne” was taken 10 Aug., 33 
Elizabeth, by John Worth, deputy to Sir John Poyntz, kt., General 
Surveyor of the Duchy in the South parts; on the oaths of a Jury 
of the Court of Survey, viz. Robert Scorie, Richard Nutte, John 
Brighte, Thomas Bacon, &c., who being examined, saie ; 

“That they thinck the same moost begynneth in the southeast 
pte of the saide mannor, at a pcell of ground called Ducke lane, 
from thence to a waste plott of groundeat the north end of Lordes 
meadowe, compassinge the same plott, and soe ouer thawrte the 
waie unto Lordes meade, followinge the east hedge therof to the 
south fielde, and thence south east to the brooke to the nether pte 
therof, w’ deuideth this mannor and the mannor of Ramisburie, 
and soe followinge the saide brooke to the lower end of the Gallie 
close, from w™ close south westwarde to Milleredge Coppice-hedge, 
therehence out thawrte Louers lane to Letimer coppice hedge, and 
soe continuynge the same hedge westwarde to Prestlande, and soe 


| 


Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. a.v. 1591. 189 


forth as the same hedge leadeth to Poles closse, and from thence 
leadinge as the same hedge lyeth to Saundredge yeatt, from thence 
alonge by Mushes hedge to Mushes land end, therehence to White 
Shurde, and soe thence alonge the ditche to Yeldons hedge corner, 
wherehence leadinge north warde alonge the same hedge to Mores 


‘lane, and from thence alonge the ditche or waie that leadeth to 


Motelie croft, followinge the same waie to Snapp common, and there- 
hence continuynge the said waie or ditch to High Strate waie, from 
thence to Badburie mere, w™ devideth this mannor Badburie and 
Liddinton, from the said mere eastwarde along the ditch to Shuger 
waie, therehence to the mere stone on the top of Digehill, divid- 
inge this mannor Wambrough and Liddenton, from w*” mere stone 
alonge a ditche then to Bordes plott, compassinge in the same plott, 
from thence east warde to Rickatts crosse, therehence along by east 
lease hedge to Whitt pitts, thence by a linche and waie: that 


 leadeth to S* Williams Crosse, and from the said Crosse alonge the 


mere w’ devideth this mannor and Beadon to Red Deane, from 
thence alonge by the same mere to Crockbrigh, therehence follow- 
inge the same mere to Forde lane, and from thence to Duck lane 
afores’ where in began; within w™ circuit and bondarie all waieffes, 
straies, ffellons, goods, &c., and all other things incident to a roy- 
altie belonge vnto her Ma‘. . 

“And thus mitch for the circuit and bondarie of the said 
mannor.” 

3.—Hannineton. (15 Aug. 1591.) 

“The manor Hannington als Hammingdon. (fol. 31a.) 

“That the boundarie of the saide mannor verie aptlie begynneth 
on the north pte therof at a Bridge called Thomes Bridge, at a 
doble tressell there; from thence along the river there eastwarde 
called Thames, w‘h devideth this mannor and Kempfforde untill 
ye com to a brooke called Bidebrooke, wh devideth this mannor 
and Inglesham, and soe followinge the saide brooke to Westropp 
field, therehence contynuinge the same brooke southwarde to Gos- 
pell Corner deviding this mannor and Staunton, from w‘h corner 
along by the quicksett hedge called Berreton hedge, southwest- 
warde to tRend therof, to a mere there, followinge the same mere 


190 Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. a.p. 1591. 


to thend therof, thence retorninge northwestwarde by the Mere 
stones there to a quicksett hedge of Walter Becketts, followinge 
the same hedge northwarde to the river of Thames, and soe follow- 
inge the said river eastwarde to thaforesaid bridge where it first 
beganne. Within wh circuit and boundarie all waieffes, straies, 
fellons, goodes, &c., and all other thinges incident to a Royaltie 
doe belong unto her Ma‘ 
ones ==“ Without w’h saide boundarie there apptayneth un- 

pondane- to this mannor one hamm of meadowe cont. iij acres 
and halffe lying bewest the saide boundarie, being on the north pte 
invironed w‘h the olde Thames, and on the west alsoe with a pcell 
of the same river, now in the occupacon and tenure of one John 
Jenkins, tennte therof unto her Ma“. There lyeth alsoe in the 
castell field of Eaton iij* acres of arr. land and leise in iije seve- 
rall rudges, and one acre in Sentham meadowe, w‘h alsoe belongeth 
unto this mannor, now in the tenure of John Symons a copie holder 
of the said mannor. 

“The scituacon of the said mannor. (fol. 87.) 

“Tt scituatethe from Highworthe west, near one mile distant 
the villadge wherof standeth on a hill, on the east pte wherof is 
verie good pasture grounde neare adioynige unto the river Thames, 
with good meadowes to the same apptayninge, the arrable lande 
whereof is somewhat fertile, verie apte for corne and grain.” 

No. of Acres 17553. Rent £65 2s, 14d. Freeholders, John 
Brinde, Humphrey Gunter, William Parker, Robert Saverie. 
Copyholders. John Symonds and Henrie his son; William Yorke, 
Robert, William, and Humphrey Yorke; Thos. Boughton; Rob. 
and Will. his sons; Richard Coxe and Giles Coxe; Wm. Werton: 
Walter and Wm., his sons. Also the names of Willier, Sheperd, 
Batson, Plomer, Pennell, Sherman, Jenkins, &c.! 

4.—UPpavon. 
“The mannor of Uphaven. (fol. 36a.) 
“Thatt the bondarie of the saide mannor begynneth, and as they 


1 The boundaries of Hannington above given, are stated (1859) to be very cor- 
rect. The ‘‘one acre in Sentham” is probably in Stanton Fitzwarren. At the 
‘double tressells” there is now a stone bridge across the Thames., The ‘17554 
acres” form only part of the much larger estate now belonging to the Freke 
family. Copyholders haye disappeared. 


Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. a.v. 1591. 191 


think moost fitt on the east pte therof at a bridge, knowne by the 
name of Carbridge, from thence following the riuer there eastwarde 
to Prince Crosse, there thence southeastwarde by the landes wch 
devide this mannor and Manningforde, to the middell Borrowe, 
deviding this mannor and the mannor of Everleigh, from thence 
southwarde leadinge to the Balle w*h devideth this mannor Chez- 
enburie and the said mannor of Everleigh, therehence westwarde 
to thend of Hare pitt, and thence downe the riuer to Shefforde, and 
soe over thwarte the water there to Neaton meade, from thence to 
Waterdeane, deviding this mannor and West Chezenburie, there- 
hence westwarde to a Borrowe, w'h devideth this mannor and En- 
forde, thence northwestwarde to Honnie downe Balle, from thence 
eastwarde to old Ditch, w‘h devideth this mannor and Russalle, 
and soe thence to Flower ditch, therehence to Brodewaie w‘h lead- 
eth to Cossum Bridge, and from thence following the saide riuer 
to Carbridge aforesaide, where it beganne. 

“Royaltie. “Within w‘h circuit and Bondarie all waieffes, straies, 
fellons, goods, &c., and all other thinges incident to a Royaltie 
doe belonge unto her Ma“. 

“ And thus mitch for the circuit and bondaries of the said mannor. 

“The scituacon of the said mannor. (fol. 44.) 

“Wh standeth southwest from Marellborrowe, vj miles distante, 
and from the Vies vij miles, the village wherof standeth somewhat 
lowe, w'h a verie proper riuer runninge on the south pte adioyninge 
to the same, the soile wherof yealding reasonable storr of fishe, is 
reasonable fertile and apte for corne, &c., with good meadowes 
and pasture groundes to the same apptayninge.”’ 

Sir Walter Hungerford kt. held the manor. No acreage given. 
Rent £70 18s. Od. Freeholders. Henry Sadleir, Esq., William 
Thornehill, Esq., Nicholas Bacon, gent., Thomas Bushell, Robert 
Hurle, George Pike, Edmund Bayliffe. Leaseholder. Roger Orme. 


5.—Easterton Gernon! (in East or Market Lavington.) 


“The manor of Easterton Garnham. (fol. 44a.) 
“Thatt the bondarie of the said mannor begynnneth and as they 


So called from a Family. “ Roger Gernon held 1 knight’s fee in Lavington 


192 Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. a.p. 1591. 


think moost fitt on the north pte therof at a meadowe called the 
Kinges Croftes, from thence eastwarde by Flowers hedge to New- 
-mans Corner, therehence southwarde as the mere leadeth, deviding 
this mannor and Eastcott to Foote burrowe, and thence contynuing 
the same mere southwarde to Easterton Coomes, and soe by the 
eastermost pte of the same Coomes to Ellborrowe, being the uttmoost 
pte on the south: therehence westwarde followinge the Balles and 
markes w‘h devide this mannor and Fydington to Green Cliffe, and 
soe thence northwarde by the mere stones to Redd land, wherehence 
to the wester pte of Courte closse, from thence northwarde as the 
hedges leade to the west end of Easterton sande, and soe thence 
followinge the hedges to the wester side of Twentie Acres, and 
therehence contynuing the hedges northwarde to the south pte of 
Potterne parke, and from thence followinge the hedges eastwarde 
unto Kinges Croftes aforesaide, where it beganne. 

“nevaldic. “Within which circuit and bondarie all waieffes, 
straies, fellons, goodes, &c., and all other thinges incident to a 
royaltie doe belonge unto her Ma.” 

Walter Fisher held the manor. Acres 447. Rents £10 10s. 8d. 
Freeholders. Robert Bisshopp, Christian Saintsbury, Thomas Kill, 
William Kill. . 

“There is within the saide manunor one woode called “Kinges 
Stedies,” cont. 3 acres, meanlie sett with oke trees or other timber 


trees.” 
6.—Manninerorp Bouun. 
* The manor of Manningforde Boundes. (fol. 48a.) 
“The bondaries «That it verie aptlie begynneth on the south west 
mane’ pte of the saide mannor, at a Bridge called Woode bridge, 
wh devideth this mannor and Newton, from thence followinge the 


river to the south end of Longe meade, thence eastwarde alonge the 


of Wm. Blund, and he of the King in chief,” temp. Edw. I. ¢ Zest. de Nev.) 
The name is now corrupted to ‘‘Garland’s.”” The Rey. E. Wilton informs the 
Editor that there used to be two constables: one for ‘“‘Garland’s side,” the other 
for the ‘‘ King’s side.” The 447 acres belonging to the Duchy were probably 
the ‘‘King’s side:” as Easterton contains 1596 acres. The boundaries above 
are stated to agree with the present manorial limits. The manor does not now 
belong to the Crown. A small copper shield with the arms of the Duke of Lan- 
caster, picked up near Green Cliff, is in the possession of Mr, Benj. Hayward. 


Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. ap. 1591. 198 


mere to Prince Crosse, w'h devideth this mannor and Uphaven, 
therehence to the highe waie called Sheepe pathe waie w‘h leadeth 
from Uphaven to Pewsey, wherehence alonge the balke untill ye 
come within halfe a furlong or neare thereaboutes to the iij Bur- 
rowes, within the mannor of Everleighe; and thence northwarde as 
the Ball leadeth to White Crosse, deviding this mannor and Manning- 
ford Brewse from the said White Cross westwarde to Earles Crosse, 
from thence toa plott of grounde called Kites waie greene, com- 
passinge in halfe the said greene, which devideth this mannor and 
Manningforde Brewse, therehence leadinge alonge Weekelande to 
Newe Yate, from thence followinge the hedge to the south ende of 
the towne of Woodburrough, from thence to Botewells Forde, and 
soe following the riuer to Newton dalles, therehence along the dike 
to the riuer, and soe contynuing the same riuer to Woodebridge 
aforesaid, where it beganne. 
p Boyaltic. ‘Within w‘h circuit and hata all waiefis, straies, 
fellons, goodes, &c., and all other thinges incident to a Royaltie 
doe belong unto her Ma‘. 
eate%emout “* Without w‘h circuit and bondarie there is one pcell 

temannor- of meadowe apptayninge to the Ferme, be west the 
riuer in Newton Field side, cont. iij roodes w‘h is possessed accord- 
inglye. 

“The scituacon of the said mannor. (fol. 52.) 

“ Wh standeth southwest from Morrell burrowe neare v miles 
and a halfe distant, the arrable lande wherof mitch agreeth in na- 
ture with Uphaven, on the north pte wherof is verie goode mea- 
dowe grounde for the moost pte, on the north west pte wherof is a 
river, but reasonablie stored with fishe.” 

Freeholders. Anthonie Webb gent., William Button, William 
Dowley, John Thornborough. Acres 980. Rent £25 4s. 6d.” 

7.—EVERLEY. 

** The manor of Euerleighe. (fol. 52a.) 

“That the bondarie of the said mannor begynneth, and as they 
think moost fitt at a certen Burrowe neare Shudburie [now Sid- 
bury | Hill, w*h devideth this mannor and the mannors of Fiddleton 
and Collingborne [Ducis], from thence leading westwarde to a 


194 Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. a.p. 1591. 


burrowe on the west pte of Sarum waie, deviding this mannor and 
Fiddleton, therehence southwestwarde to Comesdeane well, thence 
westwarde by the boundes as they lie to a bound on the west side 
of the iij burrowes w‘h devideth this mannor and Uphaven, where- 
hence northwestwarde followinge the balkes and merestones to a 
balle without the two burrowes nere adioyninge to Pewsey waie, 
therehence northwarde to Carrell Pitt, from thence to Popplestone, 
deviding this mannor Pewsie and Milton, wherehence northwest- 
warde to Three Knightes burrowe, therehence eastwarde to London, 
being pcell of the demeasnes of this mannor, from thence along the 
balles and boundes without Neates Penne, eastwarde to a merestone 
deviding this mannor and Kinges Collingburne, therehence south- 
eastwarde to Gourdon Balle, from thence south to the balle or bur- 
rowe in the bottome nere unto Ludgersledge waye, therehence 
southwarde to the burrowe at Shudburrowe hill aforesaide, where 
it beganne. 

“Boyaltie. “ Within which circuit and bondarie all waieffes, 
straies, fellons, goodes, &c., and all other thinges incident to a 
royaltie doe belong unto her Ma.” 

Henry Sadleir, Esq. held the manor. 

Freeholders. Yar] of Hertford, Henry Sadleir, Esq., John Chai- 
ney, Richard Fishe, John Jeffries, clerk. Acres 1552. Rents 
£39 5s. 5d. 

8.—NETHERAVON. 

Survey taken 21 Aug. 1591, by John Worthe, gent., Deputy to 
Sir John Poyntz, kt., Gen. Surveyor of the Duchy on the South 
parts. 

“The manor of Netherhaven.} 

“The Bondarie of the said manor begynneth, and as it is thought 
moost fittest on the north part of the River at the Dotes, being be- 
north the end of Cock Meadow, therehence followinge the said 
River southwarde to Borne Meadowe, and so compassinge in the 
said Meadowe to the Dike in the east side thereof, and also com- 
passeth in another Meadowe in the said east parte, being Brunise 
meade; therehence southwarde taking in a Dovecot, thence follow- 


Ta pie Duchy manor was not co-extensive with the parish. 


Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. a.pv. 1591. 196 


ing the waie there be-east the same to the River contynuinge the 
same River southward to Ivie Bridge, therehence to the west hedge 
of Ivy meade, following the said hedge southwarde to Mr. Longs! 
Clifte, from thence westwarde as the meres and boundes leade to 
the west ende of all the said Mr. Long’s lande, which abutteth on 
the south part of this mannor, therehence to the West Borne, 
wherehence northeastwarde followinge the boundes and balkes to 
Fifield Mere, and from thence to the Dottes aforesaid, where it be- 
ganne. 

pasate: “Within which circuit and boundarie all waieffes, 
-straies, fellons, goods, &c., and all other things incident to a roy- 
alty doe belong unto her Majestie. 

Gps trss “The Fishinge of the said River from the aforesaid 
Dotes, southward unto Mr. Longe’s Clifte, doth appertaine unto 
her Majestye in respect of the said royaltie, &c.” 

Freeholders: paying quit rents. Wm. (Bourchier) Earl of Bathe, 
Henry Brewynn, Esq., The Lady Jane Brydges, Chidiock Warder, 
Esq., Thos. Goddarde of Standen, gent., (no quit rent.) Wm. Lam- 
bert, Esq. (do.), Thos. Bushell, Rich. Legge, Thos. Hearne, Jobn 
Sutton, Richard Gyne. The Parson there for certain glebe. Total 
quit rents 22s. 6d. 

8.—Berwick Sr. JAMEs. 

“ The mannor of Berwick St. James. (fol. 58.) 

“ That the bondarie of the saide mannor begynneth, and as they 
thinck moost aptest on the north east side of the same at the upper 
end of Kinges marshe, at the riuer there leadinge westwarde as the 
hedg lieth to a linche; there contynuinge the same linch to Mad- 
ington Waie, thence torninge northwarde to Manhide hedge, fol- 
lowinge the same hedge westwarde to thend therof, from thence 
northwarde as the quicksett hedge lieth nere to the middell of the 
said close, therehence westwarde by the meres and boundes devid- 


*The Mr. Longe, here mentioned, was John Longe, who died in 1630, and 
was grandfather of Colonel Samuel Long, one of the most distinguished Colonists 
after the conquest of Jamaica in 1655. He is presumed to have been nephew to 
Edward Long of Monkton. The lands of which he was in the occupation were 
charged with the repairs of one of the aisles of the church of Netherayon. 
(C. E. L.) 


196 Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. a.p. 1591. 


ing this mannor and Winterborne Stoke, to the easter end of Heavie 
Hedd furlonge, wherehence leading northwarde fower acres breadth, 
and then retorninge westwarde nere halfe the length therof, and 
soe northwestward as the boundes lie to London waie, following 
the same waie westwarde to the boundes and balles wh devide as 
before, northward to a great bounde or balke at the Lower end of 
a bottome called Nettellbedd, from thence westwarde as the boundes 
_leade to Mill waie, therehence northwestwarde to a bond on the 
ditch end, wherehence to the waie leading to Warminst’, followinge 
the boundes on the north side therof to the upper end of the Ferme 
downe, compassinge in a peell of grounde invironed with a banke, 
from thence southeastwarde followinge the balles and boundes to 
the middell gate of Yarneberrie castell, passinge thoroughe the 
same castell southwarde, as the boundes and Balles leade w‘h de- 
vidé this mannor and Langforde, contynuing the same balle south- 
eastwarde to the wester end of the Cowe downe of this mannor, 
followinge the same downe southwarde to Pennecot bottome, there- 
hence southwarde as the boundes leade to Langforde waie, by weh 
waie west a littell distance, then torninge southwarde to thend of 
the Queens fermors fielde, from thence torninge east on a furlonge 
as the boundes leade w‘h devide this mannor and Stapleforde to 
Hed corner hill, therehence eastwarde to Pipe marshe end to the 
riuer there, from thence northwarde followinge the hedge to an 
easter pte of the riuer, untill ye com to the north pte of New meade 
hedge corner, from w‘h corner northwestwarde towards the riuer, 
to a certen pece of grounde inclosed by Willm Hewlett, from the 
north east pte of the said inclosure to the bankes on theast pte of 
Kinges marshe, followinge the same banke northwarde, to the 
Banke w'hout the Rolles on the southwest corn: of Asserton marshe, 
contynuinge the hedge of the saide marshe, northeastwarde to the 
upper end of kinges marshe aforesaide, where it beganne. 


“Meadowe lying «« Without w'h bondarie there apptayneth unto this 


manor. mannor one meadowe called Berwick meade, cont. 


XXXviij acres, lying within the mannor of 
“ Royaltie. “Within wh circuite Bondarie and meadowe all 
waieffes, straies, fellons, goodes, &c., and all other thinges incident 


tie 


to a royaltie doe delonge unto her Ma 


Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. av. 1591. 197 


“The scituacon of the saide mannor. { fol. 62.) 

“Tt standeth north from Salisburie neare iiij” miles distance the 
villadge wherof standeth somewhat lowe, w‘h a river on the south 
east pte therof, yealdinge a verie good Trowte, &c.: the arrable 
lande wherof is not verie fertile, but reasonable apte for corne and 
graine, with reasonable good shepe slightes to the same apptayninge, 
but noe great store of meadowe within the same.” 

Freeholders. Thos. Walters, Eliz. dau. and heir of Thos. Sent- 
burbe (S¢. Barbe), Wm. Frauncis, Thomas South, Henry Sadleir, 
Esq., The Manor. Acres 578. Rents £18 18s. 8d. 


10.—Pootrz. 


“ The mannor of Poole. (fol. 62a.) 

“That the bondarie of the said mannor begynneth on the north 
east pte therof, at a Crosse there called Ewen Crosse, from thence 
eastwarde by the north hedge that boundeth in Tommes fielde app- 
tayninge to this manor, therehence southeastwarde to Mill ham 
ditch as it leadeth to Hobbes bridge, wherehence eastwarde to 
Horse hamme hedge, w‘h devideth this mannor and Sommerforde 
Keynes, from wh hedge torninge westwarde as Studham hedge 
leadeth to littell Easter Mill, from thence followinge the riuer 
southwarde as it leadeth to the south end of Agney meade, and so 
retorninge by the south hedge therof, westwarde to thend therof to 
the riuer there weh devideth this mannor and the mannor of Yewen, 
contynuinge the saide riuer and the hedges southeastwarde to Ney 
bridge, therehence southward as the dick leadeth to Oke lake, from 
thence westwarde as the ditches and hedges leade weh devide this 
mannor and Wokesey unto New meadow corner, therehence west- 
warde by the ditche to the wester end of Pke meade, and thence 
followinge the brooke there, northwarde to Ridinge corner neare 
Week Elme, from thence northwarde to the over end of a close 
called the Ridinge, followinge the north hedge therof eastwarde 
by the hedges w'h devide this mannor and Kimbell, to theast 
end of Letmoor, therehence to Portwaie Yeatt, and soe northwarde 
to Ewen Crosse aforesaid, where it beganne. 


eerie, “Within w'h circuit and Bondarie all waieffes, straies, 


198 Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. a.p. 1591. 


fellons, goods, &c., and all other thinges incident to a Royaltie doe 
belonge unto her Ma™. 
*«The scituacon of the saide mannor. 

“The which standeth northeast from Mamesburie iiij* miles 
distance, beinge a fertile woodland cuntrie, w‘h fruitfull corne 
fields, beinge well meadowed, &c.”’ . 

Freeholder. John Blandford. Indenture holder. Henrie Poole, 
the Manor. Acres 776, Rents £21 6s. 3id 

11.—Oaksey. 

“ The mannor of Wokesey (fol. 69). 

“Thatt the bondarie of the saide mannor begyneth on the east- 
moost pte therof, at a bridge there called Stockum Bridge, from 
thence eastwarde as the riuer or brooke leadeth to Pilles moore 
corner, therehence southwarde alonge the highe waie to Swele 
Bridge, thence followinge the brooke there westwarde to Sideham 
gate, contynuinge the same brooke westwarde to Wokesey bridge, 
and soe westwarde as the same brooke leadeth to Hick moore cor- 
ner, therehence as Hickmoore streame or riuer leadeth, northwest- 
warde to Hickmoore bridge, from thence followinge the same 
streame or river to Silvester corner, and soe westwarde as the hedge 
leadeth to Quallestockes lane, weh devideth this mannor and the 
mannor of Crudwell, contynuing the same lane northwarde to Mid- 
dell hill, and so as the waie leadeth to Groveridge yate, therehence 
northwarde as the hedges leade to the Lines Yate, from thence 
northeastwarde to Eame Crosse, therehence northwarde alonge the 
waie to Wick greene, thence southeastwarde followinge the highe 
waie w’h leadeth to Rogers hamm, and soe to Oke well head to a 
brooke there, followinge the same brooke southwarde to Nocketts 
Pill, therehence contynuinge the same brooke eastwarde to Vagg- 
ham Bridge, thence alonge the same brooke eastwarde to South- 
meade corner, wherehence southeastwarde, followinge the same 
brooke to Pistredg corner, then torninge northeastwarde by a hedge 
to Longe meade corner, therehence southeastwarde as the hedge 
leadeth to Mill ham corner, and from thence eastwarde as the 
brooke leadeth to Stockum bridge aforesaid, where it beganne. 

“ Royaltie. “Within w‘h circuit and Bondarie all waiefts, straies, 


Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. av. 1591. 199 


fellons, goods, &c., and all other thinges incident to a Royaltie doe 
belonge unto her Ma™. 
“The scituacon of the said mannor. (fol. 79.) 

“Tt standeth somthinge highe in a verie holsome aire, well fur- 
nished with woode, havinge fertile corne fields, and well stored 
with good meadowe groundes, and also large scope of comon, ii} 
miles east from Malmsburie, &c. And mitch beautified by the 
parke and faire okes therin.” ; 

Freeholders. Henry Poole, kt., Andrew Keddelbie, Esq., Thos. 
Strange, Will. Partridge, Anthony Herle, John Packer, John 
Fettiplace, gents.; Walter Kite, Laurence Michelbone. 

Manor held by, James Unninge, Will. Baker, Rich. Baker, 
Thos. Allis, Will. Unninge. Henry Chaderton held the Parson- 
age. Acres 1448. Rents £4. 

12.—Asuiey. (Near Tetbury.) 

“The mannor of Aisheley. (fol. 80.) 

“The bondarie of the saide mannor begynneth on the north west 
pte therof, at a hedge called Rivie hedge, being on the north pte 
of Warren Hill, therehence eastwarde alonge the saide hedge, un- 
till ye come to the highe waie that leadeth to Kulkerton (Co. Glouc.) 
from hence eastwarde by a littell gutter to a greene mere belonginge 
to the demeasnes of this mannor, called Linch bank, wherehence 
eastwarde out thwarte the highe waie that leadeth from Crudwell to 
Kulkerton, to a mere there w‘h leadeth to Rowdowns hedge, follow- 
inge the same hedge eastwarde to Force (Foss) waie, therehence re- 
torninge southwarde as the same waie leadeth to the southermoost 
end of Furr leise, torninge there westwarde by the south hedge of 
the said leise to the westmoost corner therof, from thence contynu- 
ing the same hedge northwarde neare the length of a furlonge or 
more, being on theast pte of the mannor, and therehence followinge 
the meres and boundes w‘h devide this mannor and the mannor of 
Newtonn, untill ye com to Rivie hedge aforesaide, where it beganne. 

“Within w‘h circuit and bondarie aforesaid all waieffes, straies, 
fellons, goods, &c., and all other thinges incident to a royaltie doe 
belonge unto her Ma“. 

“The scituacon of the said mannor. (fol. 82a.) 


200 Duchy of Lancaster. Survey of its Manors. a.p. 1591. 


“Standinge alsoe in a good aire, the ferme wherof is verie fer- 
tile, as well for pasture as tilladge, but the copieholders soil is more 
barren: lying north from Malmsburie vj miles distante.”’ 

Freeholders. Richard Sherborne. Manor, William Pike. Rents 
£27 5s. 9d. Acres, 682. 

13.—Brapon Forest. 

“The Dutchie woodes adioyninge unio the Forest of Braidon, and 
the Temple closes to the same appertayninge. (fol. 83.) 

“The bondarie and circuit of the said woodes and closes begyn- 
neth on the north east pte therof, at the north west end of the said 
Tempell closes, from thence leading westwarde to Stony hurste! 
waie, and soe contynuinge westwarde to Turntrowe oke, therehence 
to Gospell Oke, thence to the southeast pte of Lodge Lawne, con- 
tynuinge the hedge of the same Lawne to Armyn Crosse, from 
thence to Charlame Oke, therehence downe the grene slade to 
littell Charlman, and soe leadinge alonge by the south pte of the 
saide woode to a tree called Dumm Cowe to a mere there, follow- 
inge the same mere to Mapell Zell, from thence to Abbottes Bridge, 
wh boundeth upon Gestynn lye, and therehence to Purton Marshe, 
and soe to the south west end of Tempell close. 

“Waste ground. « Within which marshe and on the south pte of the 
said close there appertayneth to the saide woode a large pece of 
verie goode waste grounde, cont. by estimacon 120 acres, as by the 
dick or particon there yet appeareth. 

“Another peell «There is alsoe one other pcell of Ragge of woode! there 
apptayninge to her Ma‘, lying on the north west pte of the ffor- 
mer woode, boundinge upon the woode of M’ John Hungerford, 
called the Punchars woode on the south pte, and the lodge there on 
the west, the Queens woode on the north, and Neevells wood on the 
northeast, shoting downe to Chelwerthe marshe, being of a great 
lengthe. 


1 Probably now called ‘‘Standing House.” In the Archeologia vol. xxvii. p. 
304—314, there is a map and account of the Limits of Braden Forest by J. 
Y. Akerman, Esq., with copies of several ancient perambulations, and a frag- 
ment of a map, temp. Eliz. 

2 Duchy Rag.’’ 


: 


201 


Wild Aarell of Aittlecote. 
(No. 2.) 
By C. E. Lene, Esa. 
N the previous communication! respecting the life and ad- 
GAS ventures of the last of the Darells of Littlecote, William 
Darell, but better known by the sobriquet conferred upon him by 


_ popular tradition of “ Wild Darell,” a prospect was held out of the 


possibility of some additions to the narrative in the way of supple- 
ment. At that time little else than the correction of a few errors, 
and the printing in full of one or two of the original papers then cur- 
sorily noticed, seemed, in the least likely to be forthcoming. In the 
mean while some most unlooked for discoveries, made at the Rolls’ 
Office by my friend, Mr. Duffus Hardy, although they do not conduct 
us to the point originally aimed at, viz. the charge of the murder, 
and the trial and acquittal of the prisoner, yet bring to light some 
startling incidents in our hero’s eccentric and not very creditable 
career. 

The perusal of them will, doubtless, lead many who would incul- 
pate even innocence itself, so that their faith in mystery and murder 
should not be shaken, to argue that, with such antecedents and ac- 
companiments, Darell was guilty, or at all events capable, of the 
outrage and crime which popular parochial tradition has affixed to 
his memory. 

In the first place it seems most fitting to correct, according to 
the succession of the paging, those errors which have crept into 
the previous communication. 

1. Vol. iv. p. 215 and notes p. 229. In allusion to Darell’s 
sister, she is ambiguously spoken of as being, possibly, of the 
half blood. It is clear that she was not. What became of her, 
whether she really married Egremont Ratcliffe, as was hinted, and 
as Mr. _Bayley in his history of the Tower distinetly asserts 


1 Wilts Arohwological Magazine, vol. iv. p. 209, 
N 


202 Wild Darell of Littiecote. 


(though accompanied by the error that she was the heir of her 
brother,) we are not in a position to state. It will have been 
remarked (vol. iv. p. 228, note 18) that Sir Edward Darell, the 
father, mentions this daughter, Ellen, in his will, but makes no 
mention of his younger son Thomas. However as the father 
and reputed son would seem, the one to have been born and the 
other to have died, in the same year, the son may have been post- 
humous. Still this omission tends to confirm the assertion made by 
Mary, Lady Darell as she called herself, in the Chancery proceed- 
ings, viz., that this son though legitimate, was at all events, not the 
son of Sir Edward Darell. The mention also of herself in the will 
of Sir Edward by her maiden name of Daniell is even more con- 
firmatory of the suspicion that she was not his lawful wife. Ellen 
Darell was living in 1574, as appears from an award made in a mat- 
ter between “Hyde and Dorrell,” relative to the affairs of the latter, 
and in which the charge on his property of £200, payable to her 
under his father’s will, is mentioned; but she is only spoken of as 
“ Dorrell’s sister;” whether married or unmarried does not appear. 

Several of Ratcliffe’s letters are given in Strype’s History of the 
Reformation, in not one of which is there a solitary allusion to his 
having any wife. The only additional unpublished notice of him 
which has been met with is among the Flanders papers at the State 
Paper Office, in a letter from Mr. John Lee to Lord Burghley 
dated March 18, 1571, 2, wherein he states that “ Mr. Egremond 
Radcliffe would be sent with letters of great importance” by some 
other party, of course, and that “his” ( E. R.’s) “man had promised 
to open the letters by the way, and reveal their contents.” Rat- 
cliffe’s mode of Jife, his continued residence abroad, or his short stay 
in his own country, and while there as a prisoner, appear to cast 
doubts on the truth of this marriage. We must therefore leave 
Ellen Darell in darkness, though not necessarily in suspicion. If, 
as Mr. Bayley affirms, Ratcliffe was married to her “at an early 
age,” it must have been before the rebellion of 1569 in which he 
took part, and then it would be strange that, having no issue by 
her, the result of an incestuous intercourse with her brother, 
twenty years afterwards, should be the birth of the infant whose 


By C. E. Long, Esq. 203 


supposed horrible fate the villagers of Ramsbury have,moulded 
into a tale of terror. 

2. At page 214 (vol. iv.) the first edition of Camden is spoken 
of as having been published in 1607. It should have been said the 
first Folio edition. There was an octavo edition in 1586 and an- 
other in quarto in 1596. Camden’s silence is strong evidence, and 
should satisfy us that, if he ever heard, he never believed the 
tragic tale: and more especially as he knew the place, and speaks 
of it as ‘long since a seate of the Darells.” 

3. The next point to which we have to allude is at page 215 
(vol. iv.) where a letter (in the Stourhead Library and signed “4. 
Hungerford,’’) is referred to as having been written by an Anthony 
Hungerford. This baptismal name being only inferred from the 
initial A, the writer of it, was from a comparison of dates and 
and other circumstances conjectured to be an Anthony, cousin and 
possibly a brother scape-grace of Darell. A copy of this letter, 
together with others in the same handwriting, has since been found 
at the Rolls’ Office, and, very much to our amazement, it turns out 
to have been written not by any Anthony Hungerford, but by 
Anne, Lady Hungerford, who was divorced in 1569-70 by her hus- 
band, Sir Walter Hungerford, (of Farley Castle, who died 1595,) 
and retired to Louvain where she died in 1608, advanced in years, 
and, if we may judge by the writings of her confessor, in the full- 
est odour of sanctity. It would seem to be almost beyond a doubt 
that Darell was the cause of this separation between Sir Walter 
and his wife. But no record of the divorce case can be found. 
The dates of such documents at Doctors’ Commons do not extend 
beyond 1635, and a search at Lambeth was productive of no result. 
This lady was the second wife of Sir Walter, and the daughter of 
Sir William Dormer of Ascot, Co. Bucks. Her other letters, (al- 
luded to above as having been found at the Rolls’ Office) are of a na- 
ture that would have been fatal to any reputation even in the days 
of our second Charles. For instance, she writes to her ‘dear Dorrell” 
begging him to “think” as she says “what you have to doe, and 
let me not be undone, for the bearer telleth me that my counsell is 
marvellously astonied for he cannot goo forward according to his 


Nn 2 


>» heok® 


204 Wild Darell of Littlecote. - 


further instructions,” and she concludes “in haste at midnight, all 
Another letter beginning 
“my good Dorrell” alludes to the case being got up against them, 
and she writes “for the love of God my good Will be carefull for 
me in this matter.” ‘I pray you bring in as many witnesses for 
the proofe of your being at London all Easter Term as by any 


”? 


yours during life, A. H., rede and burn. 


possible meanes you can.” She was labouring to establish an 
alibi. ‘During liffe ever one” she subscribes herself “A. Hun- 
gerford.” In a third letter, dated London, she concludes “In any 
case lowes not y' letter, small thinges can doo no harem and ffrend- 
ship we shall not lake.’”” Then comes another document, which, 
from its singular and otherwise not very intelligible endorsement 
would appear to have fallen into the hands of the husband who 
rather laconically, forwarded it to his faithless spouse. It may be 
interesting to give this in full. 


‘‘Myster Dorrell. I by the othe that I have swoe apone the holy Evangeliste 
do acknolege that if Sir Walter Hungerfor, my husband, now liveng do departe 
oute of thys lyfe, that thene by the othe that I have sworne and wytness of 
thys my hande, that I wyll take you to my husbonde. Wytnes ther of thys 


my hand suffresith. 
‘“¢ ANNA HUNGERFORD.” 


Directed. ‘To hys well belovyd wyffe the Lady Hungerford at the Castell of 
Frogges thys be delyveryde.”’ 


This bears strong marks of criminal intrigue; yet history has 
frequently two faces. “Do not read history to me” said Sir Robert 
Walpole to his son, when suffering under an attack of gout, “for 
that I know must be false.” A MS. memoir of the Duchess de 
Feria, the sister of Lady Hungerford, written by one Henry Clif- 
ford, gives an elaborate account of Lady Hungerford’s good deeds 
while at Louvain, insinuating that her husband was the aggressor; 
and that she “pretended his leave to go beyond seas to her grand- 
mother where she might have liberty of conscience to serve God 
freely.” In the end, she is stated to have “ passed out of this world 
the 19th of December 1603, full of good works.” 

Among the papers, recently brought to light, we are startled on 
finding our “wild” friend involved in another, and earlier accu- 
sation of murder, charged as an accomplice. It may be best to 
give a full copy of the letter relating to this calumny, and which 
was written by Mr. Forster of Aldermaston, in Berkshire, a gentle- 


By C. E. Long, Esq. 205 


man of considerable position in his county, who died in 1574, and 
was connected with Darell by his marriage with a Hungerford. 


[ Wm. Forster, Esq. to Sir James Croft, written 26 December, before 1574. 

but the year not named. } 

“‘ Right honorable in most humble wise, my comendations pmised. Under- 
standing by Thomas Hewse servaunte to William Darrell, esquier, that youer 
pleasuer is to be advertised of the dealinges that happined at Nubery the twen- 
tithe of December against the saide William Darrell and John Whithed his 
servaunte by one George Essex, gentleman, and Mr. Cater, towching a murther 
that sholde be doon abowt three yeares past by the said John Whithed, nowe 
seryaunte to thafore named William Darrell, and at the time of the murther 
' doen servaunte to one George Darrell, gentleman, dwelling in Kentte. Maye 
hit please yo" honor, the sixtinthe of December by vertue of comition owt of the 
right honorable and highe courte of Starcke chamber, directed to S" Henry 
Neyell,* Mr. Anthony Bridgis,+ Mr. Roger Younge,{ and my selfe for the exami- 
nations of causisse in controversie betwene the aforsaide William Darrell of the 
one ptie, and Mr. Hide of Denchwoorth on thother ptie, upon interogatorisse 
and Witnicisse of both ptes, produced after the most pte of those caucisse hardde 
and the comitionerse in good hope the varience sholde be appeased beetweene 
the ptise greeved, yet whilse we were sitting in examination, Mr. Essex and 
Mr. Cater aforsaide desired to speake w‘ the comitionerse. Wheruppon verry 
earnestly they did shewe unto us that thaforenamed, John Whithed, had com- 
itted a murther and did disier that he might bee apprehended and putte to his 
answeare: So hit was thought good by St Henry Nevell and the rest of the 
Justices that the saide Whithed sholde be attached and brought beefore us to 
answere to that lawe, required by the bailye of the towne. Who after he had doon 
his best to searche the ptie to be chardged, signified that he colde not finde him. 
Wheruppon for the dischardge of the dewtise of the Justices aforsaide, hit was 
thought good that Mr. Younge and my selfe sholde gooe to a house in the towne 
where Mr. Darrell laye, to see what we might doce for thapprehenmentte of the 
ptie accused. And after ower comminge thether imparting to Mr. Darrell the 
cause of ower comminge, presently he used such diligence as by his good 
meandes the ptie acoused was brought before us and putte under arest, at whiche 
time and place thafore named George Essex and one Mr. Edmunde Essex his 
brother did verry muche misuse in woordes Mr. Darrell, who with greate 
patience endured the same, and in thend Mr. Edmunde Fssex served him with a 
writte called a supind, and so for that time we departed and signified to S 
Henry Nevell ower dooings, and theruppon hit was thought good that Mr. 
Essex and Mr. Cater sholde charge the prisoner in what they colde saye in the 
princisse behalfe, and therfore Mr. Younge, Mr. Bridgisse, my selfe with many 
others wentte backe againe to Mr. Darrell’s lodginge, and called the prisoner 
beefore Mr, Essex and Mr. Cater, both which gentlemen did arest thafore named 
Whithed of the murtheringe of one Bloutte, wherwithall Mr. Cater stepping 
forth, verily to my remembraunce, and if 1 sholde be deposed I thincke saflly 
with my consience, I maye afferme saiinge these woordes I arrest Mr. Darrell 
his M'‘. as accessarie to the same. Wheruppon hit was thought good tl that he 


° ’ Sir i. Ne vill of Oakee y, died 1593. + OF Great She fford, Be ks. ~ ¢Probably of i Be sasilden, 
Berks, died 1589, 


206 Wild Dareli of Luttlecote. 


sholde come where Mr. Darrell was to charge his pson, at whiche time he used 
the verry speache and woordes as by this bill heere enclosed yo" honor maye 
peeive. So Mr. Darrell thincking him selfe verry hardly and maliciously dealte 
withall by Mr. Cater, brake out with sume woordes, the woorst wherof to my 
remembraunce was, he called Mr. Cater promowter. Wherunto Mr. Cater 
replied and saide he was as honest as him selfe, a gentleman and his fellowe in 
any place in Englande: farther the saide George Essex did moste often and 
verry earnestly requier the good aboringe (behaviour) against Mr. Darrell and 
all his servayntes, and truly in my consience by that I colde gather by the 
reportte, the saide Mr. Essex withowt any greate cause deserved of Mr. Darrell. 
Wherfore hit was thought verry hard to graunte the good abering uppon suche 
causisse as were alledged beeing no greater. Neverthelesse the peace was 
graunted against him, the coppye wherof is also heere enclosed. Thusse hum- 
bly I take my leve of yo" honor, and beeseche God to send you much encreace 
of the same, ffrom my house at Aldermaston the xxvj‘" of December. 
‘*¢ Your honners holy to comand, 
’ “ Witt. Forster.” 
Directed. ‘‘ To the right honorable S' James Croft,* Knight, Controler of the 
Queens Ma‘* housholde, and one of her most honorable privy counsaile these 
be delivered.” 


The next correspondence which we have been able to find rela- 
ting to Darell, introduces him to our notice under circumstances, 
not only unexceptionable, but favourable to his character. The fol- 
lowing letters refer to his offer to serve the Queen for the defence 
of her kingdom against the apprehended Invasion. No less a per- 
sonage than Sir Francis Walsingham who, Cecil not excepted, 
was the mainspring of her vigilant ministry, seems to have been 
on terms of intimacy with Darell, on whom no suspicion of want of 
integrity is cast, and the letters of such a man may therefore be 


well worthy of being given in extenso. 
(Secretary Sir Francis Walsingham’s Letters to William Darell, Esq.) 
S". Icomend me verie heartely unto yo", and calling to mynde yo" Gentl- 

manlike offer made to me of late to s*ve her Ma‘ in case of necessitie wt 20%¢ 
men, furnished besides those otherwise charged uppon yo" in the Shire. Ihave 
at this p'sent thought meete to wishe yo" yo'selfe to com upp.hither to me, and 
I will make her M“* aquainted w™ that yo" comendable and voluntarie offer, 
wherby yo" shall boath have accesse, and receave suche thanks as apteyneth at 
her Ma‘ hand, yo" shall not neede to stay at yo coming at all; in the mean 
tyme I have sent yo" suche newes of the Spanishe fleete as is newly com to the 
Court. And even soe wishing yo" to be in readines w” that yo" are hable to 
doe, I bidd yo" heartely farewell. Fro the Court this 23 of July, 1588. 

‘* Yor assured lovinge frend, 
““Mr. Darrell. “Fra, Walsyngham.” 
Directed. ‘To my verie loving frend Willm. Darrell, Esq.” 

* Died 1590. 


By C. E. Long, Esg. 207 


‘« After my hartie comendations, I have receaved yo" Lre the xxvj™ of this 
present for whiche I doe thancke you and for answeare you may understand that 
trewe it is that Mr. Knevitt was sent to his brother S* Henrie with such lres 
from some of my Lords here, (the rest beyng then absent), as the copie of S* 
Henries Ire to the Justices of yo" Shire (w* you sent mee) dothe import. And 
the trust reposed in 8 Henrie Knevitt by theire Lords sayd lres growethe partly 
of some speciall recomendation of him to hir M“* by the Erle of Pembrooke, of 
late for his sufficiencie and forwordnesse in the Marshall services of yo" Countie. 

‘“My advise therefore unto you is, that for the 2000 footemen required out of 
yo" whole Shyre, you have in a readinesse at the place and tyme appoynted by 
S" Henrie Kneyvits lres to the Justices, so manie as shall appertayne to yo" cir- 
cuite as a Justice of that Countie. 

‘And towching such horsse w‘ men and their furniture as you are able to sett 
forthe, I doe wishe you made them pntly readie and that you send them hither 
yf possibly you can by Thursday nexte to attend here neere the Court on hir 
Ma‘: pson: at what tyme I will not fayle to lett hir Mat* understand, both 
what nomber of horsemen and howe well furnished you have sent to wayte on 
hir. As for my selfe yf you only send mee one serviceable horsse I shall accept 
the same in good part at yo" hands. And thus I comitt you to God. 

“From the Court the xxvij of Julye 1588. 
‘¢ Yor assured loving frend, 
“Mr. Willm. Darell, Esquire. ““Rra, WALSYNGHAM.” 


Directed. ‘‘To the right Worrhipfull my loving frend Mr. Willm. Darell, Esq.” 


“« After my hartie comendations, I doe hartely thanck you for the care and 
goodwill you have to helpe furnishe my Cornett. I have written to such effect 
as you may see to the deputie Lieutenants of yo" shire to be content only wt 
twoe horsemen furnished by you, that the rest may with yo" selfe make yo" 
repaire presently unto me who mynd to receave you into my ptection and ser- 
vice. And so comitt you to God. From the Court the xxix of July 1588. 

“« Yor loving frend, 
“Mr. Willm. Darell. “Fra, WALSINGHAM.” 

Directed. ‘* To my loving frend Mr. Willm. Darell, Esq.” 


‘* After my hartie comendations. Beeyng as this pnt tyme requireth desy- 
rouse to erect a cornett of horsses to atend uppon hir Ma** at and neere the 
Court, and beeyng uppon this sodayne occasion not so well furnished of men 
and horsse for this purpose as I wishe; amongst other gentlemen and persons 
to furnishe my cornett, I have made choyce of Mr. Willm, Darrell of yot Coun- 
tie to serve mee personally w'*-as manie horsses as he conveniently maye, 
wherof I thought good not only to gyve you notice, but also verie earnestly in 
this respect to pray you besydes such footemen as he is appoynted to furnish in 
that Shyre you would accept and take only twoe horsse w'’ their men furnished, 
becawse myselfe have and shall use bothe him and the rest of his horsses for my 
sayd cornett, herein I trust you will make no difficultie consideryng that what 
soeyer he furnishe in horsse or man there in the contre or here above wt and 
under mee is for hir Ma‘* service, and that he doth under mee so much the 
more neccessarie becawse it seryeth for the defence of hir Mat pson more 


208 Wild Darell of Littlecote. 


neerly. And thus I comend you hartely to God. From the Court the xxix 
of July 1588. 

‘“« Yor loving frend, 
“The Deputie Lieutenants of Wiltshire. ee a le 


“St, Since dinner I receaved yor lre written yesterday, for w° and for the 
horsses you have prepared to serve hir M“* in my band, I do thincke myselfe 
more behouldinge to you than I will expresse, and assure yo" selfe as occasion 
may bee offred mee, I will not only lett hir Mat for yo" good and comfort un- 
derstand the readinesse and furniture you weare nowe in for hir service: but 
also at all tymes to the best of my power in anie yo" cawses studie howe to 
requitt this goodwill of yo's towards mee so effectually nowe declared. 

‘‘ Towching yo" desyre to knowe where and howe yo" horsses shall be dis- 
posed, you may understand that since I receaved yo" Ire, order is given to 
the Counties abroade from my SIf here, for the staye of the forces nowe comyng 
out of the same hitherwards, becawse (God be thancked) the successe of hir Ma'¥ 
service at the sea is suche that wee are in good hope to stand in no need of land 
service ; howbeit the stay of theise forces is such that they may be in readinesse 
uppon anie sodayne or short warnyng againe to bee given them. And therfore 
I pray you not to pcead further hitherwards, but to return home w* yo" horses, 
and there so to dispose of them w* less charges to yo" self, as yf wee have anie 
newe alarme given us here, I may uppon newe warnyng given you have them 
readie, And thus I comend you hartely to God. From the Court the thyrd of 
August 1588. 

“Yor assured loving frend, 
“Mr. Willm. Darell. ‘Fra. WALSYNGHAM.” 
Directed. ‘‘To my verie loving frend Mr. Willm. Darell, Esq.” 


‘¢§r, [have by this bearer, yo" servant, receaved yo" present of partridge 
and other fowle, and by my servant Fraunces Mylles lre from you understand yo" 
goodwill in wishing Greenes and Norton unto mee, for w I yeald you thanckes, 
but see no great hope of so good a matter to fall uppon mee. In yo" particular 
affaires, I hope as occasion shalbe offred you will not spare mee, wherein I shall 
allwayes be glad to doe you the best pleasure I can, and so comitt you to God. 
From the Savoy the xi of Sept. 1588, 

“Yor assured loving frend, 
‘Fra, WALSYNGHAM.” 
Directed. ‘‘To my verie loving frend Mr. Willm, Darell, Esq.” 


Sir H. Kneveti’s letter to Wm. Darell, Esq. 

‘So yt is that upon Tuesday night last very late, her Ma** and my Lords of 
y° privie councell sent my brother Thom*s Knevett unto me at my house in St 
James pke in Weston, straytly comaundinge me w" all possible speed to hast 
me into the Cuntry w* all possible speed, where I should meet w* lres from 
them w* shauld throughly directe me in their will and pleasure. And because 
I understood from them by worde of mouthe that yt was principally to bringe 
upp twoo thowsand foote men armed out of o" Shire w'” all hast that might be, 
to attend her Ma‘ pson, I thought yt good to lett you understand thereof in 
any wayes, In her Ma‘ name earnestly requiringe you to see forthw' all soul- 


By C. E. Long, Esq. 209 


diers win yo" division in ptsent readines to attend their Captaynes, thorowly 
furnished in manner followinge, at Marlebroughe upon Sunday at after none at 
the furthest, yf they here no word to the contrary by the said Captaynes, for 
that I think the fittest place of meetinge. Itm that they be clenely armed w* 
their weapons fully furnissed. Itm that there be levyed for the conduct of ev'y 
souldier yj viij’, the same to be brought to M'lebroughe aforesaid, by the Con- 
stables of the hundred of ey'y division, at the tyme assigned for Cote money, I 
can say little to yt. Itm that there be pvided for ev'y Calyver shot, iij pounds 
of powder at the least, or so much money as will buy the same after xiiij‘ the 
pound, which I like better, because they shall not spoile yt by the way. And 
for the same, and fiftie bulletts. And for the more expedicon of this svice I pray 
you fayle not to send this lre fourthw* you kepinge the double thereof to Mr. 
Brunker, 8 James Marvign, and Mr. Penruddock, and the rest of the Justices 
of that pte of the shire. Whereby I do in like manner require them to see the 
contente of the same furnished on their behalf, the tenor therof I hope they will 
accept my hast considered. The rest of the Justices from St Edw‘ Baynton 
northwards, I will hereof adv'tise upon my cominge home. And so in hast I 
hartely betake you to God and salute you all. At Newbery this xxv" of July, 
at twoo of the Clock after midnight. 
‘¢ Yor’ assured in all power, 
““H. KNEVETT.” 


Subsequent to this correspondence we meet with the following 
letters relating to a dispute with some Wiltshire neighbours, the 
Wroughtons of Broad Hinton. Darell seems to have lived in a 
perpetual vortex of altercation: but as we have no means of judg- 
ing of the real facts of this story, it would be unfair to suppose 
him in all cases the aggressor. The tone of his letter would rather 
imply the contrary. Walsingham’s letter of condolence, in reply, 
is dated, as will be observed, very near the time, viz. in the very 
same year when Darell died, and when the pretended child-murder 
is said to have been perpetrated. 


W. Darell, to certain Gentlemen of the County complaining of the Wroughtons. 


“Right worshipfull, after my hartie commendacions, thes may be to adver- 
tise yo" that the xiiij"" daie of September last. (being Sondaie) ther came to my 
house a man of the retynew of Mr. Wroughton (they call him Powell), who de- 
siring to speake w* me, gave great causes of quarrell. And (shewing in himself 
a malicious hart towards me) although his mysdemeaner was not tollerable, yet 
was he suffered quictlie to depart. Over and beside the forsaid Mr. Wroughton 
hath gotten together other of the like faction. And he and his complices hath 
done actes of great force to the great dysquieting of the Quenes Ma“* peace, and 
to the lewde and pvers example of other in chasing uow thes, now thos, not 
suffring men peceablie to passe on the Quenes highe waie, no not to be in their 
houses w'out assulting and hurting. Yf thes Cattelyn parttes (right worship- 


210 Wild Darell of Littlecote. 


full and indifferent friends) be suffered, so put up, and go unpunysshed, to what 
end they will come, neither cann I gesse, nor yo" very well tell. Ye may thinke 
that either envy or tymerousnes causeth me to writ, but therin may ye err, for 
not envy, ne tymerousnes, ‘but sorrow to heare other so handled, and quietnes 
for myne owne parte, being doubtfull of thende hath caused me to writ, phaps 
ye will sey I may have the peace, if any thing I doubt surelie that may not I, 
safelie do, no, nor willnot, but if yo" auethoritie and willing peceable myndes 
will no farther stretch towards the reprehending of this mannes unshamefast 
demeaner, one onlie thing have I for my self, that I have written to yo", let 
thende be such as fortune then hath willed, I protest to yo" here by my lres, 
that neither I, nor any of myne will or meane to have any thing to do w* the 
said Mr. Wroughton or any his comptices, if ye swelling pride, envy or dysdayne 
sholde cause them to follow their accustomed demeaner, so that we must of force 
be dryven to defend o'selves, we wold be also hartelie sory therfore. And hereof 
I shall desire yo" all be witnes. What tumultes, what byckerings, this man 
w' thother fensors of his sect hath of late stired and caused, and dailie goeth 
about to stire I need not to writ, for ye cannot be of his Countie and strangers 
in thes causes, should I writ the cause why this man w' the rest of his evill dis- 
posed fellowes hang on Mr. Wroughton no, I may not. They are of yo" famelie 
(Mr. Barwick*), and yo" know not these things, yt may be yo" know them and 
cannot redres them, and phaps they bring sorrow to yo" hart, therfore I certain- 
lie know yo" meaning to be good by olde proofe therof, I onlie wishe thes people 
to be reformed. And he that saw Powells behavio' to me, I have sent him wt 
my lres to make report therof. And if nede be, to be sworen theron, And 
this fare ye well, from Lytlecott the second of October. 
“Your loving frind, 
““W. DaRRELL.” 
Directed. ‘To the right worshippfull and Mente ffrindes John Seynt oa, 
John Ernley, John Barwick: and Richard epaipeethiy ll, Esquiers, geve thes.” 


Sir Franis Walsyngham to W. Darell. 

S I thanke you for your kynd and lyberall offer. I woold fyrst be glad to 
deserve, before the yelding to accept any thing from you. I doe assure you the 
pyttye I have of your oppression movethe me to doe for you what I may, and 
not any regard of benefyt as you shall hereafter more at large understand 
by my servant Stobbs. And so in the mean tyme I comyt you to the protectyon 
of the Almyghtye. At Barnes the x“ of Maye 1589, 

“Yor assured frend, 
“FRA, WALSYNGHAM. 

“T can not but advyce you to staye all proceadinges ageynst S' Tho. Wrough- 
tons men, for that I am in hope to end all controversye between you I wyll use 
your letter w* all secracye.” 

Directed. ‘‘To my verie loving frend Mr. William Darell.”’ 


Before we part with our hero it may be well, in order to afford 
a clearer insight to his disposition, to print a couple of his letters 
differing in character: the first which was noticed at page 217 (vol. 


* Sir Thomas Wroughton aed (2nd wife). Kok dau. and cates of J ohn Barwick of Wilcot. 


By C. E. Long, Esq. 211 


iv.) of the previous Article, addressed to Anthony Hinton; the other 
to his cousin Reginald Scriven. 


*““Yor Jres make mencon that you understand I beare you displeasure, 
and that yt hath appeared by sundry attempts of myne of late, groundinge 
my quarell upon words of Cawley, who doth utterly deny yt, verily I have 
heard by a longe tyme you have not byn well, but so farr to be distempered, 
as by yo" lres appeareth, I knew not That you were the Autho™ of all ill 
attempts and secreat workings, of all wt I knewe nothinge before the receipt of 
those lres. Yf you had expressed those attempts, the matter would appeare the 
playner, for sure I am you have uttered as foolishe as that, I have heard saye 
that you have not byn well a good while, but so farr distempered I knew not. 
That you had byn run into any suche distemperature and unseasonablenes I 
would not have thought yt, had not yo" owne lres expressed yt, That maketh 
me also to knowe that Cawleys adv'tisements were not altogether wout matter 
and truthe, that shewed me that you were one that envied me, and other watch- 
inge to do harme, when occasion should rise, That you were the setter on of the 
tennts of Chilton in all their p'tended villanies, This can foure psons witnes, 
honester men then he. But in the latter pte of yo" lres, very excellent in yt 
self, you say very magnifically that you did little looke fo" suche hard dealinge 
at my hands, you say magnifically that, I pray where dwell you or what pa- 
rents came you from, that you take yt, or howe cometh yt about, that I have so 
muche forgotten my self, there is nothinge but hard dealinge in yo" mouthe. 
Yf you have lent me money at any tyme, as yo" lres mencon, w® hath not byn 
past wise, once xx" and another x". Another tyme I remember you would, and 
in faith I never sent to you for yt, nor neded yt not, w* lone of yo" was all- 
wayes upon good pawne of plate, and not above three monethes or sixe. But 
nowe you haye upbrayed me w yt, I trust you have yo" peniworthes and are 
satisfied, yf not send me somuch plate, and I will lend you somuche money as 
ever you lent me and twise as longe. And then are you double aunswered upon 
that point, that you say I brake day w" you I cannot forbeare you, for playnly 
and truly you do lye in yt, And lyinge in a miser is a miserable thinge. But 
yt is allways proper to base condicon. And further, in yo" lres you say that yf 
you have honestly and faithfully travelled in my causes, you are ill repayed w'* 
hard dealinge. What cause of myne that you should be so traveled in, and so 
mightie in remembraunce w' you I cannott gesse. But sure I am that I have 
in many things borne w you, And suffred harmes and losses by you; And used 
you allwayes better then belonged to yo" condicon. But I will mend yt and 
peead in truth as I think good, gevinge you w“ all to understand that I am not 
he that is in erro" or hath not what to followe. And this for aunswere to yo" 
lres written fo" some devise. 

‘‘He that fo' all yo" secreat envy, 
‘tand private malice must lyve by you.” 


“‘Cosin, my helth not so well servinge me as it hath downe, whereby I cannot 
visyte frinds nor follow my bussynes as I have bynn accostomed to do hearto- 
fore, 1 am dryven oftner to Letters to aoquitt me in the one, and to expresso 


* Gen. Record Oftice, London. oh Darell c sorreepondene. " Misc. 458, 


Brom tty 


r- 


212 Wild Darell of Littlecote. 


and serve me in thother, more then willingly I would To yo" my cosin and 
frinde, I woulde a letell complayne me of Infortunyte, my cosin the lyffe we 
have in this worldell is shorte, and to the happyest somwhat of Trouble, But to 
the afflycted what it is of infelycitie, none but the afflycted can only therin 
justly speake. To ease the lyffe of man hear, thoughe nothinge cann make it 
justly pleasant, I fynde that frynds do wourke much therin, And frinds ar got- 
ten bound and kepte by bloude or deserte, deserte I take not too for the least. 
Myself a man much of infortunyte, thoughe to many that ar right good neare 
in bloode, and som of the better sorte, and to som have also not deserved amisse. 
And could not have lyved too but to som have bynn right good, yeat have I not 
receaved that in clearenes at any tyme of any one that myght justly bynd me, 
but whether destinye, chaunce, or that that is called fortune, or my devylyshe neg- 
lygences or and yll deservynge be the cause unto this day, as a man troubled, 
and therby of noe good judgement I could not deserve, But what a man un- 
luckye am I. I will therfore at this tyme call to memory the good things I 
have receved and not requitted, And after I will offer my self as one that certynely 
hadd ever a mynde to requitt all things to make satisfaction for the same. And 
so farr therin to peeade, that it serve may hereafter for indifferent frindshipp in 
things well compounded. And for reasonable favour in reasonable causes that 
maye be. My Lorde whom yo" serve and I love, and have done before all other, 
nor any was more glader, not the nearest bloude to him, of his advancement 
then I was. When he was solicytor he certeynly was, and I may yet seye it, 
my good frind, and I stonde a barren lover only for it, I receaved many bene- 
fitts of him, I hadd many tyme counsell and paid nothing, I hadd secreatly ad- 
vice of him, w*" was more, I hadd many favoures as his letters and requests 
tendinge to my pfytt, O that I might not even heare sey too, that he hadd binn 
my good Lorde also—But so that 1 may not be ungrateful for things passed, 
And if it may be to have him my good and indifferent Lorde, I pray yo" move, 
and as yo" may lett fall in substaunce this. I havea mannor standinge in good 
sorte wt me, of the valewe of ecc" by the year, in every condition not to be had. 
This will I convey to my Lorde and M" Harry that hath maryed my kinswoman, 
and to his eyers, in suche sorte as I now have it of that valewe, if I dy wtout 
heyer male of my body begotten. And that this I will do, not sett it downe 
only in letters, but I will also enter into covenant or be bounde in statute of 
v m' for the doinge of it, wt this condition added to it more, that if I fortune 
to have eyer of my body, Then shall my Lord have one M mares payd him or 
to his w‘"in three yeares after, or ells shall he or his have soe much payde after 
my decesse, wtin one year as froma friend. This in choyse. To this what is 
said and howe it is taken, I would gladly knowe, my health not being good I 
myght know him for my frind to my comfort, And as yo" ar my cosyn, so do 
I take to have a portion in yo", and do make bold of yo". So I pray yo" to 
thincke, for so shall yo" fynd it, That in me and myne shall alwayes be a parte 
for yo", wt my comendations. I do also pray yo" that as yo" may, I may hear 
from yo", at my lodging the xvij of June 1583. 
“Yor Loving cosin, 
‘fand frind, W. DARreExt. 
“‘To my lovinge cosin and assured frind, Mr. Reynard Scriven geve thes.” 

Endorsed. ‘‘To M™ Scriven geve thes.” 


By C. E. Long, Esq. 213 


It has been previously asserted that, until the publication of 
Rokeby, and of Aubrey’s Memoir of Judge Popham, in the “Let- 
ters from the Bodleian,” no printed account of this Littlecote tra- 
gedy could be met with. Researches were made in the library of 
the British Museum for one or two old works of the period bearing 
on such subjects, such as ‘A Mass of Murders,” printed in 1595; 
“« London’s Cry,” in 1620; and “ G'od’s Revenge,” in 1621, but they 
have not been found. Nevertheless there is in a modern compilation 
called “ Anecdotes and Biography, selected from the Portfolio of a dis- 
tinguished literary character lately deceased,” and collected and edited 
by “L. T. Rede,” a story somewhat similar. My attention was 
drawn to it by the kindness of Mr. Hunter of the Record Office. 
At page 41, second edition 1799, we have a tale commencing thus. 
“Tn a county verging on London, lived within this century, .&c., 
&e.” “The counsel himself” it is stated in conclusion “is a peer 
with at least £10,000 per annum.” It may be that Mr. Rede, or 
the “literary character,’ may have heard the Littlecote story, and 
endeavoured to give it greater effect by fixing it on some unnamed 
living parties. This story, nearly word for word, is the one re- 
counted in Burke’s Commoners, vol. u. p. 12, of the “Alterations 
and Additions.” There is, however, this exception, viz. that Mr. 
Burke hus fastened it upon “an ancient and respectable family in 
Wiltshire,” and by so doing has virtually stamped it as the Little- 
cote story. 

But we now come to another, and a real narrative bearing a 
most exact similarity to our Wiltshire legend. This was lately re- 
marked by Mr. John Bruce, while employed in the arrangement of 
his Index at the State Paper Office, and obligingly made known to 
me. In a letter dated “Hague, May 30, 1616,” from Dudley, 
afterwards Sir Dudley, Carleton, then our Ambassador in Holland, 
to his friend, Mr. John Chamberlain, and addressed to him “at Mr. 
Richard Chamberlain’s house in Aldermanburie,” the following 
passage occurs. 

“ We hear” he writes “of a bloudie accident on the Archduke’s 
side,’ (he means, of course, in Flanders) “ where two men came 
masqued into a midwife’s house, and carried her away, partly by 
force partly by persuasion, toa woman in child-bed whom she found 


214 Wild Darell of Littlecote. 


likewise masqued ; and after she had done her office the child was 
presently taken by these fellowes and cast into a fire, which was 
made in the chamber for that purpose, and consumed to ashes, the 
mother crying owt and exclayming uppon them for that crueltie, 
which she sayde in the midwife’s hearing was the fifth time they 
had used in like sort upon her children. This will not quit your 
Mrs. Vincent, because though these men were barbarous the woman 
was in some sort compassionit, but I expect before long to heare 
your Catholique gentlewoman putt into the number of Saints as 
well as Garnett and his companion, whose pictures and names I 
saw in the Jesuit’s Legend at Augusta.” 

There is no further mention of this story in Carleton’s subse- 
quent letters. It may readily be imagined with what buoyant ex- 
citement the contributor of this Article on ‘‘ Wild Darell” hurried 
off to refer to the “Court and Times of James the First,” contain- 
ing Chamberlain’s letters to Carleton, in the not altogether despe- 
rate hope of finding some allusion to the nearly precise parallel at 
Littlecote, then a tale only twenty-seven years old. Not defeated 
by again finding nothing in the printed letters, he then hastened 
to the Museum to test their accuracy by a reference to the original 
MS. It appears that Chamberlain wrote two letters, one dated 
June 8th, the other June 22nd, but strange to say, he never even 
noticed the dark tale at all. It is clear that Carleton’s letter was 
received by him, and that his letter, dated June 8th, was in reply 
to it, as we find in this latter (although for some unexplained rea- 
son the passage is omitted in the printed copy), the acknowledge- 
ment, that, “Two days since I received both your letters of the 
24th and 30th of last month.”’ In the face of these recent discov- 
eries we dare not affirm that we have yet thoroughly sifted Darell’s 
history; but, as regards his crowning enormity, this Littlecote 
legend, my anticipation is that nothing will be discovered to bear it 
out, and, individually, I must be content, to remain, and peradven- 
ture to stand alone in my unbelief, the “sceptical archeologist” 
cast aside with somewhat of compassionate disdain by my more 
credulous but very worthy friend and school-fellow, the author of 
the interesting and admirable article headed “Wiltshire” in a 
late number of the Quarterly Review. CO. EE. L. 


215 


Che Dead Drummer: 
A LEGEND OF SALISBURY PLAIN, 1786. 


SN Friday, 16th June 1786, a sailor, by name Gervase Mat- 
cham, attended by a companion, went before James Easton 
Esq. the Mayor of Salisbury, for the purpose of making a voluntary 
declaration that he had committed a murder in Huntingdonshire 


about seven years previously. But his story was so confused and 
his conduct so strange, that the Mayor entertained doubts of his 
sanity; and accordingly gave him into safe custody until an answer 
might be obtained from the Town-clerk of Huntingdon, with whom 
Mr. Turner the Salisbury Town-clerk was thereupon directed to 
put himself in communication. 

On the following Tuesday morning a letter arrived from the 
Town-clerk of Huntingdon, declaring that it was quite true that a 
murder had been committed near that town, at the peried stated; 
and adding, that diligent search had been made for the perpetrator 
thereof at the time, but to no effect. This information, though 
scanty, was sufficient to create a strong suspicion against the pri- 
soner, who was accordingly had up the next day before a full 
bench of Justices, in whose presence he made the following confes- 
sion. “In the early part of his life he had been engaged in various 
employments by sea and land, particularly in the services of Cap- 
_tain O’Kelly, and Mr. Dymock of Oxford Street, London, as a 
jockey. About seven years since he enlisted into a regiment then 
lying at Huntingdon, (the name or number he could not remember) ; 
that after he had been in the corps about three weeks, he was 
travelling upon the turnpike road, about four miles from Hunting- 
don in company with a drummer, about 17 years of age, the son of 
a sergeant in the regiment [name, Jones], when words arising 
about the poor lad’s refusing to return and drink at a public house 
they had passed, Matcham knocked him down, and then, as he 
declares, first conceived the idea of murdering him, which, after 


216 The Dead Drummer: a Legend of Salisbury Plain. 


some struggles on the part of the unfortunate youth, he effected 
by cutting his throat with a clasp-knife. He then took from his 
pockets about six guineas in gold, money entrusted to him by the 
sergeant his father; and leaving the body by the way-side, made 
the best of his way to London, where he got work for some time 
upon the craft on the Thames at Tower wharf. From that time 
he had been in various employments as a seaman, in France, the 
West Indies, and in Russia. He was last on board the Sampson 
man of war, lying off Plymouth, whence he and his companion 
John Shepherd (a native of the Soke in Winchester) were lately 
discharged. The unhappy man further declared that with the ex- 
ception of this murder, he had at no time done any injury to 
society ;—that until the moment of committing it, he had not the 
least idea thereof;—and that he had no provocation from the de- 
ceased, excepting that he gave him ill language. But from that 
fatal hour, he had, he said, been a stranger to all enjoyment of life 
or peace of mind, the recollection thereof perpetually haunting his 
imagination, and at times rendering his life a burden almost insup- 
portable:—that in travelling with Shepherd on Thursday the 15th 
inst. upon the road to Salisbury, they were overtaken near Wood- 
yates Inn by a thunder storm, in which he saw several strange and 
dismal spectres; particularly one in the appearance of a female, 
towards which he walked up, when it instantly sank into the earth 
and a large stone rose up in its place;—that the stones rolled upon 
the ground before him, and often came dashing against his feet.” 

Such were the forms in which the terrors of a guilty conscience 
arrayed themselves. His comrade John Shepherd saw not the 
spectres, but he corroborated the story so far as related to the ex- 
ternal deportment of the unhappy man, who, he said, was often 
running about like one distracted, and anon falling on his knees 
and imploring mercy. When more composed, he questioned him 
as to the reason of his extraordinary conduct, when Matcham at 
once acknowledged himself a murderer, and begged Shepherd to 
deliver him into the hands of justice at the next place they might 
reach, for life was hateful, and his sleepless nights crowded with 
visions of misery and woe. 


The Dead Drummer: a Legend of Salisbury Plain. — 217 


Both men having now been heard, the prisoner persisted in his 
confession, though he declined signing it; and as his manner no 
longer indicated anything like aberration of mind, he was com- 
mitted to the city-gaol in order to take his trial at the ensuing 
Huntingdon assizes. His companion Shepherd was at the same 
time bound in a recognizance to give evidence of what he had 
heard him confess. 

This affair having been re-published in the London Journals, 
soon attracted general attention; and on the following Thursday, 
22nd June, two letters reached Salisbury, both of which are inter- 
esting. The first is from John, fourth Earl of Sandwich. 


To the Worshipful the Mayor of Salisbury. 


‘« Hertford Street. 

“Str. Having thrown my eyes by accident on the enclosed article in yester- 
day’s Morning Post, I take the earliest opportunity to inform you that a murder 
of a drummer within four miles of Huntingdon happened about the time men- 
tioned in the article, and the circumstances appear very similar to those therein 
described. I must most earnestly recommend it to you to detain the man, and 
to write to me for further particulars, with which I will take care that you shall 
be fully supplied. I must beg at the same time that you will let me know 
every thing that has appeared on the examination of the man before you, or 
whatever can be collected from him upon any further investigation, The drum- 
mer was killed and his body found at a place called Weybridge, between Bugden 
and Alconbury, in the great North road. I am, Sir, your obedient, humble 
servant, “« SANDWICH, 

“P.S. Ihave dated this from my house in London, intending to have put it 
into the post to-morrow in town; but as I think the business requires despatch, 
have sent it from hence by express. 

‘Maidenhead Bridge, 21 June 1786. 


The other letter is from Owen Fann, Esq. the coroner of the 
county of Huntingdon. 


To the Worshipful the Mayor of Salisbury. ° 


“Srr. On reading in a newspaper yesterday, of a drummer-boy being mur- 
dered by a sailor, it struck me with an idea that it might be the same drummer 
that was murdered in Huntingdonshire, but that I think the offender’s name 
was then different, and his being called a sailor did not confirm my first appre- 
hensions: but by the account I have just read in the Morning Post I think there 
is no doubt of the man you have committed being the real person. I was the 
coroner who took the inquisition on view of the body of the drummer. If I re- 
collect, the offender was then a late recruit in the same regiment with the 
drummer boy, with whom he went to the Officer, Major Reynolds, then of Did- 


0 


218 The Dead Drummer: a Legend of Salisbury Plain. 


dington, and now of St. Neots, Huntingdonshire, for subsistence and recruiting 
money, to be paid to the boy’s father who was the enlisting sergeant: and between 
Bugden and Alconbury with Weston, in the said county, he the said boy was 
found murdered by the side of the road leading to York, on a Sunday morning; 
and it was thought that the offender made off towards York. The boy’s throat 
was cut, and a pocket-knife found a little way from the body; and, as well as 
I recollect, the money was about that sum. The spot where the body was found 
was about four miles from Huntingdon: I cannot here recollect the name the 
offender went by; he might have been a sailor by the name of Matcham, and 
enlisted by another name in Major Reynold’s corps. I cannot in this haste of 
writing recollect the time:—I think it was in August;—nor the year; but it 
was at a time when the Huntingdonshire Militi® were encamped in Essex, be- 
- cause the person who would have taken the inquisition instead of me was gone 
thither. The man was advertised and sought after very much, and a full 
description given of him; and I recollect that a tooth was wanting in his mouth 
before, but whether upper or under I cannot say. This may be of some use till 
T hear further, as I think a person will be sent over, perhaps the sergeant (if 
living) or his wife, whoever can swear to the person of the man. I shall leave 
this part to-morrow and go to my own residence at Huntingdon, and will then 
look into the inquisition, and give you a further account, if necessary; or most 
probably such person as I mentioned before will be sent over on purpose. You 
will please to excuse any omissions and incorrect matters which you may find 
in this hasty epistle, from, Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, 

‘© OWEN FANN. 


“‘London, Wednesday, 21 June 1786. 


“P.S. If there be a tooth wanting in the fore part of his mouth, that must, 
with the other circumstances, be conviction enough for detainer at present. If 
not, he may be an innocent person disordered in his mind; and having heard of 
the murder or having conversed with the murderer, may have improperly told 
the tale as of himself.” 


On the receipt of this letter at Salisbury, Matcham’s mouth was 
examined, and a lost front tooth corroborated Mr. Fann’s letter. 
He admitted likewise that he did enlist under the false name of 
Jarvis, to avoid discovery, having previously deserted from on 
board a vessel. Justice therefore was allowed to take her course. 

The Ingoldsby legend entitled “ The Dead Drummer,” founded 
on the foregoing narrative, differs slightly in some of its minor 
features: but as it would be vain to attempt to adjust the discre- 
pancies of the two accounts, we may be satisfied that, in the present 
instance, poetic licence has not carried the scene entirely beyond 
the sympathetic range of the dwellers on Salisbury Plain. 


The Dead Drummer: a Legend of Salisbury Plain. 


Tue Deap DrumMMER: 


A Lecenp or Sauisspury Puan. 
By Tuomas Incoxpssy, Esq.* 


Oh! Salisbury Plain is bleak and bare; 
At least, so I’ve heard many people declare, 
For I fairly confess I never was there. 

Not a shrub nor a tree, 

Nor a bush can you see; 
No hedges, no ditches, no gates, no stiles, 
Much less a cottage or house for miles. 
It’s a very sad thing to be caught in the rain 
When night’s coming on upon Salisbury Plain. 


Now I'd have you to know, 
That a great while ago, 
The best part of a century, may be, or so, 
Across the same Plain so dull and so dreary 
A couple of travellers wayworn and weary 
Were making their way. 
Their profession, you’d say 
Ata single glance did not admit of a query. 
The pump-handled pigtail and whiskers worn then 
With scarce an exception by seafaring men ; 


The jacket, the loose trowsers ‘‘bows’d up” together—all 


Guiltless of braces as those of Charles Wetherall; 

The pigeon-toed step and the rollicking motion 
Bespake them two genuine sons of the ocean; 

And showed in a moment their real characters. 

(The accent’s so placed on this word by our Jack Tars.) 


The one in advance was sturdy and strong, 
With arms uncommonly bony and long; 
And his Guernsey shirt 
Was all pitch and dirt, 
Which sailors don’t think inconvenient or wrong. 
He was very broad=breasted 
And very deep-chested ; 
His sinewy frame correspond with the rest did: 
Except as to height, for he could not be more 


At the most, you would say, than some five feet four, 
And if measured, perhaps had been found a thought lower. 


The other, his friend and companion, was taller 
By five or six inches, at least, than the smaller. 
From his air and his mien 
It was plain to be seen 


* The late Rey. Richard Barham. 


219 


220 The Dead Drummer: a Legend of Salisbury Plain. 


That he was, or had been, 
A something between 
The regular ‘‘ Jack” and the ‘Jolly Marine.” 
For though he would give an occasional hitch, 
Sailor-like, to his slops, there was something, the which 
On the whole savoured more of the pipe-clay than pitch. 
Such were now the two men who appeared on the Hill, 
Harry Waters the tall one, the short ‘‘Spanking Bill.” 


To be caught in the rain, 
I repeat it again, 
Is extremely unpleasant on Salisbury Plain. 
And when with a good soaking shower there are blended 
Blue lightnings and thunder, the matter’s not mended. 
Such was the case 
In this wild dreary place | 
On the day that I’m speaking of now, when the brace 
Of travellers alluded to quickened their pace, 
Till a good steady walk became more like a race, 
To get quit of the tempest which held them in chase. 


Louder and louder 
Than mortal gunpowder 
The heavenly artillery kept crashing and roaring, 
The lightning kept flashing, the rain too kept pouring, 
While they, helter-skelter 
In vain sought for shelter 
From what I’ve heard termed ‘‘a regular peiter.” 
But never a screen 
Could be any where seen, 
Or an object, except that on one of the rises 
An old way-post showed 
Where the Lavington road 
Branched off to the left from the one to Devizes. 


And thither the footsteps of Waters seemed tending, 
Though a doubt might exist of the course he was bending, 
To a landsman at least, who wherever he goes, 
Is content for the most part to follow his nose; 
While Harry kept backing 
And ‘‘filling” and ‘tacking ;”’ 
Two nautical terms which, I’ll wager a guinea, are 
Meant to imply 
What you, Reader, and I 
Would call going zigzag, and not rectilinear. 


* * * ~~ 


The Dead Drummer : a Legend of Salisbury Plain. 221 


To ‘return to our muttons.”+ This mode of progression 
At length upon Spanking Bill made some impression. 
“Hullo, messmate, what cheer ? 
How queer you do steer” 
Cried Bill, whose short legs kept him still in the rear. 
“Why, what’s in the wind, Bo?—What is it you fear ?” 
For he saw in a moment that something was frightning 
His shipmate much more than the thunder and lightning. 


‘Fear ?” stammered out Waters, ‘Why, Him,—don’t you see 
What faces that Drummer-boy’s making at me ? 
How he dodges me so 
Wherever I go— 
What is it he wants with me, Bill,—do you know ?” 
“What Drummer-boy, Harry ?” cries Bill in surprise, 
With a brief exclamation that ended in POVOS./ a Uke 
‘What Drummer-boy, Waters ?—the coast is all clear ; 
We have'nt got never no Drummer-boy here.” 


‘Why there! don’t you see 

How he’s following me ? 
Now this way, now that way, and won’t let me be. 

Keep him off, Bill,—look here— 

Don’t let him come near; 
Only see how the blood-drops his features besmear ! 
What, the dead come to life again,—Bless me,—Oh dear.” 


Bill remarked in reply, “This is all very queer, 
What,—a Drummer-boy, bloody too, eh! well, I never! 
I can’t see no Drummer-boy here whatsumdever.” 
“Not see him—why there,—look he’s close by the post. 
Hark, hark, how he drums at me now ;—he’s a ghost. 
Oh mercy” roared Waters, “do keep him off, Bill: 
And Andrew, forgive !—I’ll confess all, I will ; 
(ll make a clean breast; 
And as for the rest, 
You may do with me just what the lawyers think best. 
But haunt me not thus—let these visitings cease, 
And, your vengeance accomplished, Boy, leave me in peace,” 
Harry paused for a moment,—then turning to Bill, 
Who stood with his mouth open, steady and still, 
Began spinning what nauticals term “a tough yarn,” 
Viz. his tale of what Bill called ‘this precious consarn.” 


[The “tough yarn” was a confession which Harry thereupon 
made to his comrade, to the effect, that his name was not W aters 


+ Revenons a nos moutons. Yr. 


222 The Dead Drummer: a Legend of Salisbury Plain. 


but Gervase Matcham,—that he had been a soldier, and reached 
the rank of sergeant,—that he and a drummer-boy named Andrew 
Brand had been selected by his Colonel to carry some regimental 
pay to a detachment at a distance,—that on passing over Salisbury 
Plain, the Tempter urged him to secure the treasure to himself 
and to take the life of Andrew,—that after a conversation with 
the Fiend, he accomplished “the deed that damned him,” and 
sought to hide his shame by going to sea; but after seeking death 
in flood and fight for fifteen years, inexorable Fate had dragged 
him back to the very scene of his villainy. His confession finished, 
—his companion says | 


‘Hark ye, Waters, or Matcham, whichever’s your purser-name, 
T’other, your own is, I’m sartain, the worser name: 

Twelve years have we lived on like brother and brother, 
Now—Your course lies one way, and mine lies another.” 


“No William, it may not be so, 
Blood calls for blood, T’is Heaven’s decree. 
And thou with me this night must go 
And give me to the gallows-tree. 
Ha! see, he smiles—he points the way— 
On, William, on!—no more delay.” 


Now Bill, as the story as told to me, goes, 

And who, as his last speech sufficiently shows, 

Was ‘‘a regular trump,”—did not like to ‘‘turn Nose,” 
But then came a thunder clap louder than any 
Of those that preceded, though they were so many. 

And hark! as its rumblings subside in a hum, 

What sound mingles too ?—by the Hokey—a Drum ! 


I remember I once heard my grandfather say, 
That some sixty years since he was going that way, 
When they showed him the spot 
Where the gibbet—was not— 
On which Matcham’s corse had been hung up to rot. 
It had fall’n down ; but how long before, he’d forgot. 
And they told him, I think, at the Bear in Devizes, 
Some town where the Sessions are held, or the ’Sizes, 
That Matcham confessed, 
And made a clean breast 
To the Mayor; but that after he’d had a night’s rest, 
And the storm had subsided, he pooh-pooh’d his friend, 
Swearing all was a lie from beginning to end ; 


The Dead Drummer: a Legend of Salisbury Plain. 223 


Said he’d only been drunk— 
That his spirits had sunk 
At the thunder,—the storm put him into a funk: 
That in fact he had nothing at all on his conscience, 
And found out, in short, he’d been talking great nonsense. 
But one Mr. Jones 
Comes forth and depones, 
That fifteen years ago he had heard certain groans 
On his way to Stonehenge to examine the stones, 4 
Described in a work of the late Sir John Soane’s ; 
That he’d followed the moans, 
And, led by their tones, 
Found a raven a-picking a Drummier-boy’s bones. 
Then the Colonel wrote word 
From the King’s Forty-third 
That the story was certainly true which they’d heard : 
For that one of their Drummers and one Sergeant Matcham, 
Had ‘‘ brushed with the dibs” and they never could catch’em. 


So Justice was sure, though a long time she lagged, 
And the Sergeant in spite of his ‘‘ gammon,” got scragged ; 
And the people averred 
That an ugly black bird 
The same raven, t’was hinted, of whom we have heard, 
Though the story, I own, appears rather absurd, 
Was seen (Gervase Matcham not being interred) 
To roost all that night on the murderer’s gibbet 
An odd thing, if so,—and, it may be, a fib.—It 
However’s a thing Nature’s laws don’t prohibit. 
Next morning they add, that ‘‘ black gentleman” flies out 
Having picked Matcham’s nose off, and gobbled his eyes out. 


J. W. 


224 


ie + 
Che Picts, 
By the Rev. J. L. Ross, M.A., Oxon. 
Vicar of Avebury and Monkton. 


WSN a paper which I drew up some time since for the Archzo- 
ES logical Journal, I endeavoured to shew that the Druidical 
remains in this county were the work of the Phcenicians, who not 
merely had a very early commercial intercourse with Cornwall, but 
subsequently colonized to a considerable extent the South Western 
district of England, and to a still greater extent Ireland. It has 
been observed however by Pinkerton and others, among whom we 
may mention Barry in his history of the Orkneys, that both in 
Orkney and other parts of Scotland, stones, pillars, circles, and 
tumuli are to be found, similar to those which are met with in some 
of the Southern districts of England, and particularly Stonehenge; 
and they would hence infer that neither Stonehenge nor what are 
usually considered as Druidical circles and stones were erected by 
the Druids or Pheenicians, but were the works either of a later age, 
or were the memorials of a Saxon or Scandinavian race. In this 
view there would appear to be the same jealousy of Stukeley enter- 
tained by these writers and those who adopt their opinions, which 
has, I am afraid, not been confined to their country or age. 

Now without assuming Stukeley to be an infallible guide on 
subjects of antiquarian interest, or subscribing in all particulars 
either to his views or deductions, many of which are confessedly 
fanciful and have received little credit, the attention that has been 
recently paid to such antiquarian remains in this county by several 
writers, would seem to indicate that the ground plan of the two 
great temples or circles of Abury and Stonehenge as laid down by 
Stukeley, namely, in the latter circle, of a mere round open build- 
ing with approaches, and in the former, of a Dracontic erection, 
has resulted in a decided disposition in most quarters to receive his 
statement of the appearance of these circles in his time, as well as 
their probable design. That Aubrey the first discoverer of Abury 


By the Rev. J. L. Ross. 225 


should not have observed many things afterwards discovered by 
Stukeley is not surprising, as: he made a very cursory survey of 
Abury at least, and formed very naturally an imperfect conception 
of the original shape of the building: nor isit at all matter of sur- 
prise that he should not have had made any mention of the avenue 
to Beckhampton, as that important feature of Stukeley’s ground- 
plan, namely, the serpent’s tail, was then much less perceptible than 
the other avenue or the head of the serpent terminating on Over- 
ton Hill, owing to its passing through fields and meadows employed 
as arable and pasture land, through which no public road had been 
formed, and from which the stones of this approach or avenue had 
been necessarily removed. If Aubrey had leisure or inclination 
to make the enquiries which his successor Stukeley afterwards did 
during a series of visits extending over several years, he would 
then have heard something of the doings of certain un-antiquarian 
farmers, as Fowler and Green, who were even still more successful 
than the Herostratus Tom Robinson in destroying almost every 
vestige of the Beckhampton avenue at least, with the exception of 
two of the largest stones still existing, nearly midway between the 
circles and Beckhampton, where it was supposed, upon good 
grounds, to terminate. Any one who has remarked the cottages 
and walls of premises in the upper village of Abury, must have 
presumed that there had been either some considerable quarry in 
the neighbourhood from which these stones were then taken, (for 
the buildings elsewhere are usually of brick), or must incline to 
Stukeley’s opinion that they were formed from a large assortment 
or collection of stones, similar in all respects to those used in the 
circles and Kennet avenue, namely, the Grey-Wethers, most pro- 
bably conveyed from the valley of stones on the road between 
Abury and Marlborough. If moreover it can be proved, a’ is ad- 
mitted, that the Kennet avenue from its gyrations and other pecu- 
liar features, is the head of the serpent emerging from the circles 
at Abury, there is then a very high degree of probability, 
amounting I conceive to moral certainty, that the other avenue, 
partly observed and partly traced by Stukeley, was the serpent’s 
tail, or very unnecessarily and unreasonably the ancient and wise 


226 The Picts. 


builders of these mysterious erections must have allowed themselves 
in a “‘dusus nature,” or an animal with a body and head but with- 
out a tail. They had not even the apology of the eccentric Lord 
Monboddo who entertained a notion that mankind were originally 
created with tails, but in course of ages, from their sedentary habits 
like the Simia or monkey race, wore them away by sitting upon 
them. 

I proceed now however to enquire how far Pinkerton and Barry 
are correct in depriving the Pheenicians and their sacred and literary 
order the Druids, of their claim to be the builders of the circles so 
frequently found in Britain, or rather I should say to enquire who 
were the authors of many similar structures elsewhere, who are 
confessedly not of the Pheenician or Druidical race. 

From the laborious enquiries of Sir William Betham, the Ulster 
King of Arms in Ireland, and many other modern writers, it has 
been proved by the testimony of very ancient historians, as Gildas 
and Nennius, &c., that the original inhabitants of the Central and 
Northern divisions of Britain were Picts. “This” says Dr. Me 
Pherson, minister of Slate in Skye, (Dissertation on Ancient Cale- 
donians, section xii.) “was an established tradition a thousand years 
ago, that the Picts were the original inhabitants of the Northern di- 
vision of Britain.” Bede says, in his Ecclesiastical History, “ that 
they came to Caledonia from Scythia, the European part of which, 
according to Pliny, comprehends Germany.” The authority of 
this venerable writer was never questioned on this head; and a be- 
lief has ever since obtained that the Picts were a different race from 
the Gauls who possessed the Southern parts of Britain. By the 
Pheenicians on their arrival in Cornwall, these aborigines were cal- 
led in their language Britons, or painted people, which is more 
properly the derivation of the word than that of Tin, which is 
commonly assigned to it. When the Romans subsequently inva- 
ded Britain, they seem to have merely changed or translated this 
term into Picti, a Latin word expressing the same meaning, 
namely, the painted people. These two names however were not 
the generic designation of the aboriginal inhabitants of this coun- 
try, who were it has been satisfactorily shewn, either Cymbri 


By the Rev. J. L. Ross. 227 


or Cimbri, from a German or Teutonic word signifying a warrior, 
or warlike. The ancient writers have universally described the 
Cimbri as a tall, gigantic, and brave people, and Cesar describes 
them as being originally equally warlike and successful as the Gauls, 
or the principal body of the Celtic or Phoenician race. Whitaker 
considers that the “names Celtx, Galatze, and Gauls belong to 
the Gael,’ or the Phenician race; but as the languages of the 
Cymry and Gael are perfectly distinct, they must be independent 
nations; just on the same principle that the Tyrrheni and Pelasgi 
were distinct people. His language is as follows:—If natural 
affinity produces similarity of language, the reverse produces diver- 
sity of language; on this principle I am persuaded that the Pelasgi 
are a different people from the “Tyrrhenians.” From this and 
circumstances of a kindred nature, Whitaker was convinced that the 
Cymri, and Gauls or Celtze are distinct nations, and had arrived by 
different routes into Britain; “the Cimbri,’” he says, “from the 
north, and the Gael by a route to the south of Mount Hoemus and 
the Alps.” The Ecclesiastical historian, Bede, is also of opinion 
that the Cimbri came to Caledonia or Scotland from Scythia in 
Germany. 

Sir W. Betham has given several pedigrees of the Celtic and 
Gothic nations, and among others, one in relation to the Cimbri, 
which deserves, he conceives, consideration. The Cimbri were 
a nation from the North of Europe, who inhabited Jutland, or 
the Cimbric Chersonesus. There were two great divisions of this 
race, the Caledonian Cymbri who peopled the British Islands and 
were afterwards called Picts, and the Cymbri who invaded Gaul, 
and were destroyed by the Roman General Marius, B.c. 103. 

“Plutarch (says Mr. Humphrey Lloyd’) in his history of Marius 
affirmeth, that the Cymbri departed out of a far country, and that 
it was not known whence they came, nor whither they went, but, 
like clouds, they issued into France and Italy with the Almayns. 
Whereupon the Romans supposed that they had been Germans, 
because they had big bodies, with sharp and horrible eyes. So 
much he. Since then he hath left their origin unknown; and 


. Breviary of Great Britain. 


228 The Picts. 


our Chronicles do testify, how that the Britaynes had always great 
familiarity with the Northern Germans, as it is like enough that 
the British Cymbri passed over into Denmark, whereby it was 
called Cymbrica, and so joining with the Almayns, made war upon 
the Romans, &c., &c. And to confirm all this, I read late, in a 
most ancient fragment in the British tongue, how that, long since, 
there departed a very great army of Britayns into Denmark, which 
after many valiant wars, in most parts of the worlde, never returned 
again.” This hypothesis would seem to indicate that Britain had 
been peopled at some very early period by a race which had at the 
same time colonized Germany, from which great seat of the Teu- 
tones, and particularly Denmark and Jutland, emigrations took place 
to the Northern and Southern divisions of Britain, long previous 
to the invasion of the Saxons under Hengist and Horsa.! 

From the former or Caledonian Cymbri, in whom we are at pre- 
sent more particularly interested, were derived the Welsh, the 
Cornish, and the Armoricans or Britons, a race still inhabiting 
Brittany and speaking a language of a nature kindred to the 
Welsh. These Cymbri having been compelled to forsake Jutland 
or the Cymbric Chersonesus, owing to an irruption of the sea 
which devastated their country, seem to have divided into two 
great bodies, the one of which attempted a settlement in Italy, 
from which they were driven by Marius, and afterwards obtained 
some footing in Gaul, while the other division landed in Britain, 
then or more probably at a much earlier period, and became the 
principal opposers of Czesar after he had triumphed over the Belgz 
or Silures, an Iberian race, who inhabited the Southern Maritime 
districts, These Silures or Belgz are usually considered to be a 
Celtic race, closely connected with the Gauls or Celts on the oppo- 
site coast, and may in all probability have been a detachment of 
Pheenicians, who at an early period discovered and subsequently 
colonized the more Southern districts of Britain. They were of a 
dark olive complexion and curly hair, the reverse of the Cimbri 
or Teutonic races, who were of a lighter hue and had fairer hair. 
Tacitus’ remarks are as follows :— 


1 Sir W. Betham, p. 387, 


By the Rev. J. L. Ross. 229 


“ At the time of the Roman invasion there were three distinct 
nations inhabiting Britain, the Gael, the Cymbri, and the Belge. 
The former were those who inhabited South Britain, including 
Wales, and fought with Cesar; the second were the Caledonians 
found in North Britain by Agricola,’ (and probably the interior 
of South Britain) ; ‘and the third were the people from Belgic 
Gaul, who had formed trifling settlements on the coasts, but were 
not either numerous or powerful. . . . Jam inclined to think 
that the ancient Caledonians (the Cymbri or second nation men- 
tioned) were the first inhabitants of all the British Islands, including 
Ireland.” . . Tacitus is the first who gives any succinct account 
of these Northern Britons in his life of Agricola. 

“ Whether” he “ says the first inhabitants of Britain were natives 
of the Island, or adventitious settlers, is a question lost in the mists 
of antiquity. The Britons, like other barbarous nations, have no 
monuments of their history. They differ in habit and make of 
their bodies, and have various inferences concerning their origin. 
The ruddy hair and lusty limbs of the Caledonians indicate a German 
extraction. That the Silures (or Belgze) were at first a colony of 
Iberians is concluded, not without probability, from the olive tine- 
ture of their skin, the natural curl of their hair, and the situation 
of the country so convenient to the coast of Spain. On the side 
opposite to Gaul, the inhabitants resemble their neighbours on the 
continent ; but whether that resemblance is the effect of one com- 
mon origin, or of the climate in contiguous nations, operating on 
the make and temperament of the human body, is a point not easy 
to determine. All circumstances considered, it is rather probable, 
that a colony from Gaul took possession of a country so inviting by 
its proximity. You will find in both nations the same religious 
rites, and the same superstitions. The two languages differ but little. 
In provoking danger they discover the same ferocity, and in the 
encounter the same timidity. The Britons, however, not yet en- 
feebled by long peace, are possessed of superior courage.” 

There is a distinction drawn between the Caledonians (or Cym- 
bri) and the Southern Britons (or Celtic race). The former are 
said to indicate a German origin by fair complexion, sandy hair, 


230 The Picts. 


large and robust form of limbs, while the Silures, who inhabited 
what is now called South Wales (and formerly the maritime coasts 
of South Britain), are declared to be of a Spanish race, from their 
swarthy dark skins and curly hair. 

“After Tacitus” says Betham, “we hear little of the Caledonians 
by that name, for, it may almost be said, that they disappear from 
history. At the period of the decline of the Roman power in 
Britain, the country which they inhabited was in the possession of 
a people called the Picts, because they painted their bodies, the very 
reason their ancestors received the name of Britons from the Pheeni- 
cians. It would appear, therefore, that the Phcenician Gaelic inva- 
ders exterminated or expelled the Cymbric Britons from the South 
of Britain and Ireland; those who escaped were driven to the north, 
where they were found by Agricola many centuries afterwards, 
and received a name from the Romans, exactly indicative of that 
they obtained on their first discovery by the Phcenicians.”! 

These Belgze are supposed in time to have become amalgamated 
with the Romans, and to have acquired their customs and language. 
Gildas, when he describes Cuneglas, speaks of the Latin as his own 


? aud other authorities 


language, “In lingua nostra lanio fulve;’ 
inform us that the Britons boasted of their knowledge of the Latin 
language: Tacitus remarks that the Britons in Domitian’s time, 
“affected even the eloquence of the Latin tongue.” 

The British Cymbri after many engagements with Cesar were 
ultimately driven by him towards the Northern Provinces, and 
finally founded a Pictish Kingdom in Caledonia or Scotland, in the 
district of Strathclyde near Glasgow and Dumbarton, having Edin- 
burgh or Dunedin as their capital. Under the name of Picts these 
Cymbri long retained possession of the Southern division of 
Scotland, and engaged with Agricola near the Grampian Hills, as 
recorded by Tacitus in Agricola. The Welsh have constantly af- 
firmed (that is, the better informed of their writers) that they came 
from Scotland, and are descendants of the Strathclyde Britons, who 
were Caledonians or Picts. These Picts or Caledonians we 
have seen, were regarded by the Romans as the same race, and the 


1 Betham, p. 329. 


OO 


By the Rev. J. L. Ross. 231 


Emperor Constans a.p. 306, found it necessary to come over to 
Britain, we are informed, to repel the Caledonians and other Picts. 
The terms, Caledones aliique Picti, were employed by Eumenius in 
a Panegyrick a.p. 297 and 398; and in the end of the fourth cen- 
tury Ammianus Marcellinus mentions the Caledonians and Picti 
as the same people :—‘“ Eo tempore Picti in duas gentes divisi Di- 
caledones and Vecturiones.”! At that time the Picts were divided 
into two nations, the Dicaledonians and Vecturiones. 

The hill in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh called Arthur’s 
seat, evidently shows that this was the principal settlement 
or metropolis of the Aboriginal British race, among whom 
Arthur the British Prince is traditionally celebrated. Many places 
in the Southern and Western districts of Scotland retain names of 
Welsh derivation, or the original language, not of the Scots or 
Celts, but of the Caledonians or Picts. Detachments of the British 
Picts obtained possession of Cumberland and Wales, subsequently. 

After a long possession of the Southern and Western districts of 
Scotland, the Picts suddenly disappeared as a nation from history, 
but we are informed that they had long been engaged in a struggle 
with the Northern inhabitants or Scots. These Scots are believed 
to have been connected with the Pheenicians, and to have colonized 
the Western Isles or Hebrides, and the Highlands of Scotland from 
Ireland, which was the principal seat of the Pheenicians or Gaels. 
The following account from Fordun, details the last struggle and 
annihilation of the kingdom in Scotland of the Caledonian or Pictish 
race, the descendants of the Cymbri. 

“The Picts” (says Sir W. Betham, p. 413) “made good their 
settlement in Armorica about the same time they subdued Cumber- 
land, Wales, and Cornwall, and have ever since been there, a dis- 
tinct people keeping up their language and customs, which closely 
resemble that of the inhabitants of Wales. . . . After detach- 
ments of the Picts had made good their conquest of Wales, Corn- 
wall, and Armorica (or britanny), those who remained in Pictland 
were engaged in constant wars with the Gael of the Western 
mountains of North Britain, which country they had, a very short 


'Ammian. Marcell, Lib. xxvii. c. 7. 


232 The Picts. 


time before conquered from them; for the Picts and Scots, though 
they appear as joint invaders of the Roman Province, do not seem 
to have ever acted in concert, but as independent and unconnected 
plunderers. The Scots (or Gael) had the sole object of plunder, 
and it was not a matter of much consideration who was the object. 
From one incroachment on the Picts they proceeded to another, 
until they completely exterminated the whole race, under Kenneth 
Mac Alpine; and but for their colonies in Wales, Cornwall, and 
Britanny, their descendants would not now exist, but the name of 
Cymbri would have disappeared from the earth.” 

“This Kenneth Mac Alpin, King of Scots, having determined on 
the conquest of the Picts, commanded his troops to destroy not only 
the men, but also the women and children; and neither to respect 
sex or holy orders, nor to take prisoners, but to destroy every one with 
fire and sword. Therefore in the sixth year of his reign, the Picts 
being much occupied with the defence of their shores against the 
vexatious and distressing depredations of the Danish pirates, Ken- 
neth attacked them on their mountainous border, called Drum Al- 
ban, or the back of Albion, which having passed, he slew many of 
the Picts, put the rest to flight, and thus conquered and acquired 
both the kingdoms of the monarchy. The Picts recovered a little 
by the help of the English, and for four years annoyed Kenneth. 
But after some ineffectual struggles, and destructive slaughters, in 
the twelfth year of his reign, he engaged them seven times in one 
day, and completely destroyed the whole nation of the Picts; and 
thus was united, under one monarch, the whole country from the 
Tyne to the Orcades, as was lately prophesied by Saint Adamman, 
Abbot of Hye, which was, in all respects, confirmed. So, indeed, 
not only were the kings and generals of that nation destroyed, but 
also the people, root and branch, and even their language is alto- 
gether obliterated, so that whatever is found respecting them of 
old times, is considered by many Apocryphal.”’ 

“We have now” says Sir W. Betham,! “satisfactorily accounted 
for the disappearance of the Picts from Scotland, and . . shewn 
that the Welsh were originally a colony of Picts, who conquered 


~The Gael and the Cymbri, 


7 


By the Rev. J. L. Ross. 233 


Wales, after the withdrawing the Roman legions from Britain. 
The chapter on the Cymbri shews the strong probability, if it does 
not demonstrate the fact, of their being the same people as the 
Cimbri who invaded Gaul; if they lose anything by being deprived 
of their supposed Celtic ancestry, they acquire as ancient and glo- 
rious a one. Their ancestors, the Cimbri, were always illustrious in 
arms; often a terror to the mistress of the world, and, eventually, 
one of her conquerors. It will give them what their triads claim 
for them—the honour of being the first settlers in Britain ; it will 
restore to them the undisputed possession of their cherished hero 
Arthur ; it will shew that the existence and acts of that illustrious 
champion of his country were not fabulous; in short, it will give 
the Cimbri an existence in real history, while it only deprives them 
of an imaginary position which they never occupied. If they were, 
in a very early age, conquered and expelled from the Southern 
parts of Britain, and driven to the Northern extremity of the island, 
by the intruding Phenician Gael,.who, in their turn, were sub- 
dued and amalgamated with their conquerors the indomitable 
Romans, they had the honour of resisting, with eifect and success, 
the invincible legions of that haughty and encroaching people, 
and preserved their independence by their vigorous arms and un- 
conquerable hearts; and when the time of retribution arrived, 
their descendants rushed on the Roman province—extended the 
bounds of Pictavia beyond the wall—re-conquered a part of their 
ancient possessions, Cumberland, the northern part of England, 
the beautiful and romantic Cambria and Cornwall, and even secu- 
red a part of the province of Gaul, which their descendants have 
kept to this day, from them called Britanny.” 

It would appear from Mr. Skeen’s elaborate account of the “High- 
landers of Scotland,” that this annihilation of the Picts, if it really 
occurred to the extent here related, had reference merely to the 
Vecturiones or Southern division of that race, who under the name 
and the designation of Piccardach had been long separated from 
the Northern Cymbri or Picts, known generally as the Dicaledones 
or Cruithni. This Northern division of the Pictish race, had, we 
learn from their Chronicles, been for ages at variance with the 

P 


234 The Picts. 


Vecturiones who inhabited the Southern division of Scotland, and, 
when repeatedly conquered by Angus Mac Fergus, the King of the 
Vecturiones or Piccardach, invited the assistance of the Dalriads 
or Hibernian Scots, who had previously effected a settlement in 
Argyllshire and Cantyre. After numerous engagements, which 
rendered Angus Mac Fergus finally the Sovereign of the whole 
Pictish realm, a Prince of the Dalriads or Scots, who had become 
connected by marriage with the Royal family of the Cruithni or 
Northern Picts, at length entirely subjugated the Vecturiones, and 
transferred the Sovereignty of Alban or North Britain to the 
Scottish race. By this conquest of the Southern Picts, a.p. 342, 
the Northern division of that people—the Dicaledones or Cruithni— 
regained their independence, though at a subsequent period amal- 
gamated with the Dalriads or Scots. It is probably owing to this 
amalgamation of the Cruithni Picts with the Scots or the Cymbri 
and Gael, (whose language formed merely different dialects of the 
universal and primitive tongue,) that we find in the present time 
two distinct races in the Highlands of Scotland, one resembling the 
Cymbri or Picts in their ruddy complexion and hair, while the 
other exhibits the darker hair and features of the Belgze (or Silures) 
and Celts, thus indicating a more direct and immediate Oriental 
extraction. The alliances which were formed for upwards of a 
century by the Northern Picts with the Dalriads or Scots (or more 
properly the Gae/) against the Vecturiones or Southern division of 
this race, will account for their almost complete extermination, 
their own preservation, and their amalgamation with the Gael or 
Scots. Such would seem to be the descent of the present Scottish . 
Highlanders: though it is probable that the Aborigines of the 
Orkneys were a more ancient colony from the ‘Northern Hive.” 
But it is time now to make some enquiries respecting the original 
inhabitants of the Orkneys, which, previous to the Conquest by the 
Norsemen in a.p. 870, were regarded as a Pictish race. Ifso, and 
there is no reason to doubt the correctness of this belief, they must 
have arrived from Jutland or some other part of the Northern 
Coasts; driven from what has been well designated “the Great 
Northern Hive;” and are believed to have long remained in posses- 


By the Rev. J. L. Ross. 235 


sion of these Islands. The principal question for us at present to 
consider is, what connexion they had with the Phenicians or Cel- 
tic race, to whom have been ascribed the erection of Stonehenge 
and Abury, and other supposed monuments of Druidism? Though 
the Celtic and Cymbric races had no connexion for many ages, there 
is little doubt that they retained many of the original religious cus- 
toms and rites which were probably, nay must have been, univer- 
sal in a very early age. As Stukeley and other writers have shewn 
there are numerous similar customs, religious and others, of a kindred 
sort, which have been discovered among nations distant in time and 
locality, and among others the worship of the serpent and the same 
deities under different names, representations of the Deity (as in 
Persia of a figure in a circle with wings), of circles and monumental 
pillars or stones, as in Egypt and other parts of the East. If then 
the original inhabitants of the Orkneys came over from the North- 
ern Coasts at a very remote period, they would naturally bring 
with them this kind of structure or circle, whether for religious or 
civil uses. A more simple description of building whether for 
religious, judicial, or other civil objects could not certainly have been 
adopted; and its form representing the Sun or the first visible deity 
worshipped on the declension of mankind into idolatry, was the 
most obvious form these Aborigines would employ. Besides we are 
informed in Barry’s history of these Islands that certain of them 
have received and still retain the name of Paps or Papley, from, 
he conjectures, a priestly or Sacred Order who had either been in- 
vited from, or had voluntarily or accidentally come over from Ire- 
land and settled in the Orkneys. Now as Ireland was the principal 
seat or stronghold of the Phenicians or Celts, it is by no means 
improbable that these Papz or Papley belonged to their Sacred 
Order of Priests the Druids, and if so it is not unreasonable to pre- 
sume that they would erect structures in a circular form, as are 
found at Stanhouse and elsewhere in Orkney. The following is 
Barry’s account of these Papz or Priests :— 

“The Orkneys were first invaded by Harold Harfayer, King of 
Norway, A.p. 870, who discovered on landing, besides their own 
countrymen, two distinct people, named Peti, and Paps, whom 


iu 9) 


236 The Picts. 


they seem to have regarded as different nations. . . . With 
regard to the first of them, namely, the Peti, there is no difficulty 
whatever; for they are plainly no other than the Peihts, Picts, or 
Piks, whom, on probable evidence, we have already considered as 
the. Aborigines, or first inhabitants of this place. And what puts 
the matter beyond all doubt, the Scandinavian writers generally 
call the Piks Peti, or Pets: one of them uses the term Petia, in- 
stead of Pictland; and besides, the Frith that divides Orkney from 
Caithness, is usually denominated Petland Fiard, in the Icelandic 
Sagas or histories. 

“With regard to the Pape, it is more difficult to ascertain who 
they were. Some have thought they were a people that had, in 
some former age, come from Norway; and in support of this opi- 
nion, mention a place of the name of Papa sound, in that country. 

“An opinion much more probable has been adopted by others; 
at the head of whom is an ingenious author Pinkerton!, whose 
labours have thrown much light on the ancient state of Europe. 
He supposes they were the Ivish Papas or Priests, who had long been 
the only clergy in the Pictish dominions ;* and as they spoke another 
language, and were also different in their appearance and manners, 
they might readily have been taken by these strangers for a dis- 
tinct race, instead of a separate profession. To give still more 
probability to this opinion, it may be observed, that in Iceland 
there was a place of the name of Papay, which was perhaps the 
residence of these priests; for such priests seem evidently to have 
been there, though expelled in some commotion of the people; as 
the Norwegians, on their arrival, found some of their books, and 
other articles, which they had left behind them. 

“It may also be remarked, that there are many people of the 
name of Papay or Papley here (in the Orkneys) still, as there were 
formerly, at least in Iceland; and both of them may have sprung 
from the same origin, namely the Hibernian Priests, whose zeal 
carried them into distant lands, to diffuse the principles of their 
religion. 


‘Introd. Hist. Scotland. 
* The Irish were of Pheenician or Celtic origin, whose clergy were Druids. 
Cesar says the Germans had no Priests. 


By the Rev. J. L. Ross. 237 


“ But what is still more to the point, there are also several places 
here which still retain the name Papay or Papley, which, when 
viewed with attention, seem to have something strikingly peculiar. 
They are all in a retired situation, distinguished for the richness 
of their soil, and the variety of their natural productions, no less 
than for the pleasantness of their exposure, and their agreeable 
prospect; and when all these circumstances are considered, along 
with some venerable ruins which some of them contain, we are almost 
compelled to believe that they once were the abode of men of that 
sacred character. In particular, there are two whole islands that 
bear that name; both of which, besides the ruins which they exhi- 
bit, are distinguished among the group for their commodiousness, 
their pleasant appearance, and the productive richness of their soil, 
no less than for their retired situation. 

“These might have been the chief residences of the Pape or 
priests ;! they might have been their property; or they might have 
been the places to which they at last retired, when their labours 
had become unacceptable to the people, and they had been driven 
from other parts of the country.” 

Let us now, however, consider the following extracts from Barry’ s 
history of the Orkneys, regarding the religion and circular struc- 
tures of these Islands. 

“The ancient mythology of Iceland (also of Teutonic or Cym- 
bric origin) taught in strong energetic language the existence of 
a “Supreme God the Ruler of the Universe, to whom all things 
were subject,” which Tacitus relates was the belief of the Germans. 

“Tn it the object of their worship is styled the author of every 
thing that exists; the eternal; the living and awful being, who 
searches into concealed matters, and is subject to no change; of 
incorruptible justice, infinite power, and unbounded knowledge. 
From this all perfect God sprung, as emanations of his divinity, an 
infinite number of inferior deities, who presided over and directed 
the operations of nature; and who, on account of the service which 
they thus performed to mankind, challenged a share in their 
adoration. Agreeably to this notion, the Picts inhabiting Caledo- 


; Probably Druids having come from Ireland peopled by the Celts. 


238 The Picts. 


nia in the sixth century, paid a sort of divine worship to fountains, 
and acknowledged many of these inferior gods, whom they reck- 
oned superior to the God of the Christians. The same people 
had also magi or priests, who they vainly supposed could raise 
stones, and perform other miracles; with them the good St. Co- 
lumba had many pious conflicts in defence of his mission. 

“To offer up sacrifices to their Supreme Being; to address thanks 
and supplications to him; to do no wrong to others; to be bold and 
intrepid,—were the moral precepts which they drew from these 
doctrines; and their firm faith in a future state cemented the vener- 
able fabric, and finished the structure of their religion. In that 
state, tortures of the most excruciating kind awaited those that des- 
pised these most important precepts; and joys without number, 
and without end, were the portion of such as had been honest, vali- 
ant, and religious. 

“This system, at once so pure and so rational, and at the same 
time so creditable for human nature to have adopted in its unen- 
lightened state, was of such antiquity, as to be derived from the Scy- 
thians; and was long believed and practised among the nations of the 
North which sprung from that root. But unhappily, this beautiful 
structure, in the course of ages, was much corrupted. 

“ The Supreme Being, instead of being considered as extending 
his attention and energy to all nature, was now confined to one 
province; and passed, with the bulk of the people, under the name 
of Odin or the God of War.” . . In the Icelandic writings 
Odin is styled “The severe and terrible deity ; the father of slaugh- 
ter; the god that causeth desolation and fire; the active and tre- 
mendous majesty who giveth victory, and reviveth courage in the 
conflict, and marketh those in battle that are to be slain! 

“To that branch of this extraordinary people, which so long oc- 
cupied the Orkneys, ought we perhaps to ascribe some objects of 
antiquity which could not be conveniently classed under any of the 
foregoing heads. The first of these we shall mention, are those 
tumuli or barrows, which so often present themselves to the eye in 
wandering over the surface of these islands; and which are plainly 
the rude memorials of persons of note in early days. The most 


By the Rev. J. L. Ross. 239 


ancient method of disposing of the dead was by interment. The 
earliest Greeks adopted this custom, in which they were imitated 
by the Romans in the infancy of their state; and the Celts, a very 
ancient people, seem also to have preferred this method; and on the 
graves of illustrious persons, they gathered heaps of stones into a pile, 
which they called Cairns or Cromlechs, to distinguish them from 
those of the multitude. 

“The remains of people of the same eminence among the Gothic 
tribes, were treated in a different manner. Though their enemies, 
and the inferior ranks were interred, the bodies of men of distine- 
tion, as has been already stated, were either wholly, or in part, 
consumed to ashes, which were carefully collected either into an 
Urn, or a coffin formed of stones; and a heap of earth, or tumulus, 
was raised over them. Hence, the number of these tumuli or bar- 
rows, spread over the countries inhabited by the different branches 
of that ancient people in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England, and 
the East coast of Scotland, as well as in some of the Hebride in 
Iceland, and the Orkney Isles. The numbers found here are con- 
siderable; seldom single, but two, or three, or more in the same 
place; all of a circular form, and different in dimensions ; placed 
without any distinction of hill or dale, by the sea, or inland; gene- 
rally in dry places, and for the most part in sandy ground. Some few 
of them are encircled with stones set on edge around their bottoms; 
a remarkable one has two stones set upright on its top; and, when 
curiosity has penetrated their interior, they are almost all found to 
exhibit contents in which there is much similarity. As in Eng- 
land, those that have been opened have discovered, some of them, 
urns with ashes; some stone coffins, in which the bodies have been 
deposited; and some, naked skeletons:'—so here also, when looked 
into, they have been found to contain the same things. But be- 
sides these, which are the principa), several other articles have 
sometimes been found along with them; such as the bones of some 
domestic animal; swords of metal, or of bone; helmets, combs, with 
other things, the use of which cannot now be discovered. 


' Pinkerton, &e. 


240 The Picts. 


. “To the same people, perhaps, and about the same period, 
must be referred another class of objects, that in different places, 
raised their lofty heads to arrest the attention of the curious. These 
are the huge standing stones, one or more of which, may be seen in 
most of the islands. They are commonly from twelve to twenty 
feet in height above ground, their breadth five, and thickness 
one or more; and as the most of them seem, from the places in 
which they are erected, to have been carried from a considerable dis- 
tance, it may justly excite wonder, how in the ignorance of mecha- 
nical power (?) this could be effected. Numbers and perseverance 
united, will achieve deeds, to conceive which would baffle the efforts 
of imagination. 

“By whatever means they were brought, or in whatever manner 
erected, they are rude blocks of hard stone, of the same shape in which 
they are brought from the quarry; without any marks of an imstru- 
ment; without carving, inscription, or hieroglyphics ; they are plainly 
the monuments of an early age, when the people were ignorant of arts 
and letters (?). 

“For what purpose, or with what design, they were erected, an- 
tiquity furnishes us with no account; records are silent; and tra- 
dition, to which recourse must be sometimes had, in the penury of 
other evidence, ventures not in this case to hazard an opinion. 

“Some have supposed them intended to mark the spot that con- 
tained the bones, or ashes, of a beloved prince, or brave chieftain, 
or dear departed friend; or to serve as a boundary between the ter- 
ritories of one great man and those of another: while others have 
imagined them designed to preserve the remembrance of some 
noted event that concerned the safety, the honor, or the advantage 
of the community. 

“Since no tumuli, urns, or graves, have ever been found near 
them, they cannot certainly be considered memorials of the dead ; 
nor is it more probable that they were intended to mark the limits 
of contiguous proprietors, as land-marks, equally well calculated 
to serve the purpost, might have been erected with infinitely less 
labour. If therefore, they were not intended to serve the purpose 
of places of worship, they were most likely raised to preserve the 


*“SOGNV17S| ASBNUNYO BSHL Nt SSNOHNZIG AV SS3NOLG 4JO 319A8ID 


“HOIMSdI ‘SSAHd OLLVISVRY 


Tp, 


Lay LEE 


————_—_ 
= 


Sara, = 
= 4 = 


By the Rev. J. L. Ross. 241 


remembrance of some fortunate event, or perpetuate the memory 
of some noble action; and the rough simplicity of their appearance 
sufficiently justifies us in referring them to an early age, and to the 
Jirst inhabitants of these islands.” 

In a later portion of his description of the Orkney Islands, Mr. 
Barry relates that the Island of Westray, in particular, contains, 
on the north and south-west sides of it, a great number of graves, 
scattered over two extensive plains, of that nature which are called 
links in Scotland.! “They have, at first,” he states, “ perhaps, been 
covered with tumuli or barrows, though of this there is no absolute 
certainly, as the ground, on which they are, is composed entirely 
of sand, by the blowing of which the graves have been only of late 
discovered. They are formed either of stones of a moderate size, 
or of four larger ones on end, arranged in the form of a chest, to 
contain the body, and such other articles as the custom of the time 
interred with it. Few or no marks of burning are observable in 
these remains of the dead, which are occupied mostly by bones, not 
of men only, but of several other animals. Warlike instruments 
of the kind then in use, also make a part of their contents, among 
which may be reckoned battle-axes, two-handled swords, broad- 
swords, helmets, swords made of bone of a large fish, and also dag- 
gers. They have, besides, been found to contain instruments em- 
ployed in the common purposes of life, as knives and combs; and 
others that have been used as ornaments, such as beads, brooches, 
and chains; together with some other articles, the use of which is 
now unknown. Of this last kind may be mentioned, a flat piece of 
marble, of a circular form, about two inches and a half in diameter ; 
several stones, in shape and appearance like whet-stones, that have 
never been used; and an iron vessel, resembling an helmet, only 
four inches and a half in the cavity, much damaged, as if with the 
stroke of a sharp weapon, such as an axe or sword. In one of them 
was found a metal spoon, and a glass cup that contained two gills, 
Scotch measure; and in another, a number of stones, formed into 
the shape and size of whorles,' like those that were formerly used 
for spinning in Scotland. 


‘Sandy flat ground, generally near the sea. 


242 The Picts. 


“Strange as they may appear, the stones (previously 
referred to) are not peculiar to this place: they are found in Scan- 
dinavia, from which perhaps the fiftst inhabitants of this country 
(the Orkney Islands) originally came; and they are also sometimes 
found in Great Britain. 

“ But those that are formed into figures of various sorts, especi- 
ally circles and semicircles, are the most curious and remarkable ; and 
it is truly astonishing, that though they occur in different places, they 
have not, so far as we have learned, been taken notice of by any of the 
ancient writers. The reason perhaps is, that, as they bear marks of 
being Gothic monuments, they must be referred to a later age, when 
that people had spread themselves, in nations, tribes, and colonies, 
through most of the countries. of the West of Europe.” We shall 
not stop to refute this hypothesis, which would deprive these ex- 
traordinary remains of an antiquity which extended, as we learn 
from Cesar, long prior to his invasion of Britain, and which are 
to be met with in Eastern and other nations, as at Gilgal, &c., and 
long antecedent, it is thought, to Roman times. That they would 
have shared the fate of the Druidical groves, had they been of 
Druidical origin, is also, we conceive, a fallacy, as besides being 
less easily destroyed than the sacred groves, they were probably 
not always strictly confined to religious rites, but may have been 
appropriated as in Scandinavia and Gilgal for the “administration 
of justice,” as well as performance of sacrifice. 

“Tn the largest class,” Mr. Barry observes, “we may certainly rank 
Stonehenge in England,” (he had not probably heard of the still lar- 
ger circles that formerly existed at Abury), and “which might have 
been the place for the meeting of their national assembly, as they 
met in the open air. To the same class may be referred that noble 
circle of Classerness in the Lewis, which may have been a court 
house, in which affairs of importance might have been transacted, 
relative to the interest of the community. Their kings and chiefs 
were also sometimes elected in these large circles, while the lesser 
ones were used as temples of the inferior gods, and not un- 
frequently as family burial places. (?) 


1 A round perforated piece of wood put upon a spindle. 


By the Rev. J. L. Ross. 243 


“On the Loch Stennis in the principal island of the Orkneys 
called the Mainland, there is a circle sixty fathoms in diameter, 
formed by a ditch on the outside, twenty feet broad, and twelve 
deep; and on the inside by a range of standing stones, twelve or 
fourteen feet high, and four broad; several of them are fallen down: 
of others fragments remain, and of some only the holes in which they 
stood. The earth that has been taken from the ditch has been car- 
ried away, and very probably been made use of to form four tumuli 
or barrows, of considerable magnitude, which are ranked in pairs on 
the east and west sides of this remarkable monument of antiquity. 

“The plain on the east border of the Loch exhibits a semicircle, 
sixteen fathoms in diameter, formed not like the circle with a 
ditch but by a mound of earth, and with stones in the inside, like 
the former in shape, though of much larger dimensions. Near the 
circle, there are standing stones that seem to be placed in no regu- 
lar order that we can now discern; and near the semicircle are 
others of the same description. In one of the latter is a round hole, 
not in the middle, but towards one of the edges, much worn, as if 
by the friction of a rope or chain, by which some animal was bound. 
Towards the centre of the semicircle, too, is a very large broad stone 
now iying on the ground ; but whether it stood formerly like those 
aroundsit, or has been raised and supported on pillars to serve a 
particular purpose, we shall not take upon us to determine.' 

“For the combined and important ends of law and 
religion no spot could have been devised more convenient in its 
situation than the Loch Stennis for such a circular structure. Not 
far distant from the middle of the Mainland, which is itself in the 
centre of the island, at nearly an equal distance from Birsa where 
the Princes and Earls used to reside, and Kirkwall, which had long 


been considered as the capital,—Stennis is within a mile of the 


bay of Frith, to which boats from the North Isles have ready 
access ; and still nearer to the bay of Kairston in which boats land 
from the South Isles with equal facility. Before any civil business 
commenced in these conventions, sacrifices would be performed ; 

and the perforated stone that stands near the semicircle might have 


: Perhaps it served for an altar on which the victims were sacrificed. 


244 The Picts. 


served for fastening the victim, while that near its side was pro- 
bably made use of as an altar for the immolation. 

“ At Applecross, in the West of Ross-shire are standing stones 
similar to these; some of which are formed into a circle, and others 
into a triangle ;} with one in the midst of them, perforated in the 
same manner. Very near these too, are tumuli or mounds of 
earth, such as those mentioned near the stones of Stennis. Ano- 
ther of these circles, composed of stones of the same nature, and in 
the same circumstances, stands in a moor, near Beauley, in Inver- 
ness-shire.”” 

The frequent subjection of the counties of Caithness and Ross 
by the Earls of Orkney, may account for the existence of monu- 
ments and circles in the Northern districts of. Scotland, similar to 
those which are frequently met with in Orkney. It is not impro- 
bable that the Aborigines of Scotland were the Northern division 
of the Picts, who had emigrated at a very early period from the 
Jutland Chersonesus to Orkney and the Northern districts of Scot- 
land, or to some extent formed a detachment of the same Aborigi- 
nal race who colonized England, long antecedent to its discovery 
by the Phoenicians. In either hypothesis, to this source may pro- 
bably be traced the enmity which existed between the Southern 
and Northern Pictish races, and which terminated in the conquest 
of the former by the Hibernian Scots, and their subsequent invasion 
of Cumberland and Wales. 

The inference I would venture to draw from this account of 
the circular structures in Orkney is, that all such circular build- 
ings and stones whether in this country, Scotland, Ireland, or 
elsewhere, are monuments of the very earliest ages, and existing 
proofs of the one universal religion which prevailed for many cen- 
turies after the deluge, whether in the Patriarchal or a more sub- 
sequent age. There need therefore be no controversy caused by 
the different races who are presumed to have been their builders, 
whether ancient Pheenicians or Celts, the ancient Cymbri, Caledo- 
nians, or Picts. 


1 Perhaps a Dracontic temple as at Abury. 
= 


“H. Butt, Printer, Saint John Street, Devizes. 


ea 


WILTSHIRE 
Archeological and Batural Wistery 


MAGAZINE, 


No. XVIII. APRIL, 1860. Vou VI 
Contents. 
PAGE 
Account of the Sixth General Meeting, at Marlborough, 27th, 28th, 
and 29th September, 1859................ Se oes ap ade ey Sepsis eioatiny PAE 245-255 
Articles exhibited at the Temporary Museum.:...............0ih. 256-260 
Great Bedwyn: By the Rev. Joun Warp, M.A., Rector of Wath, Co. 
(ice ope ERIE aio cas Bea een nr Mea eon a 261-291 


Roman Antiquities, 261. The Lordship, 263. Wolfhall, 264. The Esturmy Horn, 
265. EcoxesrasTicaL History, 267. Vicars, 268. St. Nicholas, East Grafton, 270. 
Stock, 271. Marten, 273. Great Bedwyn Church, 274, Seymour Monuments, 28]. 
Dr. Thomas Willis, 288. Charites, 290. 


II.—The Representative History of Great LT a2 eae ra ME 291-316 
Barrows on the Downs of North Wilts, Examination of, in 1853-57: 
By John Thurnam, M.D., F.S.A......... eT ieee py reenen «aun 317-336 


Flora of Wiltshire, (No. 5): By T. B. Fiowrr, Ese., M.R.C.S., &e. 337-364 


EEL by SOS | DRC Ee ee bm Saenelliene ci alien Si EN 365-368 
Wild Darell of Littlecote, (No. 3): By C. E, Thome: Hsgi ye eee 389-396 
Donations to the Museum and DGBUAEY a siaig ts: eran eee 397 

ILLUSTRATIONS, 


Horn of the Esturmys; Ditto details, 265, 

View of East Grafton Church, 270. 

Borough Seal of Great Bedwyn; Ancient Pax found at East Grafton, 271, 

Marten Chapel: Ground plan; Ivory carving, and Stained glass, 273. 

View of Great Bedwyn Church, 7o appear in a subsequent number, 

Tomb of Sir John Seymour, 283. 

Skull from Morgan’s Hill, 318. 

Drinking Cup from Pound Down barrow, 321. 

View from Seven Barrow Hill: and relies found there, 329. 

Seal of Weavers’ Company at Salisbury ; Ancient Seal, supposed Monastic, 
396, 


DEVIZES: 
Henry Burr, 4, Sarnr Joun Srruev, 
LONDON: | 
Bert & Darpy, 186, Frerr Srreer: J. R. Sure, 36, Soro Savane, 


WILTSHIRE MAGAZINE. 


““MULTORUM MANIBUS GRANDE LEVATUR ONUS.”’—Ovid. 


THE SIXTH GENERAL MEETING 


OF THE 


Wiltshire Archeological and Natural History Society, 
HELD AT MARLBOROUGH, 
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 27th, 28th, and 29th September, 
1859. 


PRESIDENT OF THE MEETING, 
G. Pouterr Scrorz, Ese., M.P. 


gee HE Town-Hall of Marlborough having been kindly placed 
‘Hi at the service of the Society, the proceedings of the Sixth 


Anniversary Meeting commenced at 12 o’clock on Tuesday, Sept. 
27th, under the Presidency of G. Poutert Scrorz, Ese., M.P.—On 
taking the chair, 

Mr. SCROPE said it was with great reluctance he had under- 
taken the duties of the office in which they had been kind enough 
to place him, because he felt that the chair would be far better 
occupied by others whom he saw present, and who were locally. 
connected with the town and neighbourhood of Marlborough. In- 
deed, but for unavoidable absence, the Marquis of Ailesbury, 
who by his personal character, no less than by his rank, held such 
a high position in that neighbourhood, would, no doubt, have 
presided over the meeting on this occasion. They were now 
entering upon the seventh year of the existence of this Society, 
and he thought he might congratulate the members upon the suc- 
cessful progress which it had made during that period. It was a 
progress neither too rapid, nor too explosive in its character; other- 
wise, they might not expect it to endure; but it had been gradual, 
and, as such, might lead them to hope that it would be permanent, 
VOL, VI.—NO. XVI. Q 


246 The Sixth General Meeting. 


and that they might hand down the Society to another generation 
when they who formed it were called upon to leave it. Al- 
though this was the seventh year of the Society’s existence, it 
was only the sixth Annual Meeting which had been held. It was 
not thought advisable to hold any meeting last year, inasmuch as 
the two central Societies, which claim to be exclusively national 
associations, met during that year either in this county or upon its 
borders :—one at Salisbury, the other in Bath: and notwithstand- 
ing the increasing popularity of Archeology, still many might 
be of opinion that it is possible to have too much even of a thing 
so useful and rational as that. Even within the last week one of 
the Societies he had alluded to had held its Annual Meeting at 
Newbury. Although the close pressure of these Societies might 
have its inconveniences, it must be regarded as a satisfactory in- 
dication of the variety and attractiveness of the antiquities which 
abound in this part of England. With regard to this particular 
district, as yet, no body of archeologists had ever paid a special 
visit to this place: he did not, however, go too far when he said 
that there was no part of the county—scarcely any part of England 
—which exceeded it in the abundance of ancient monuments and 
objects of antiquarian interest. They were here, in fact, in the 
centre of that great chalk platform of Berkshire and Wiltshire 
which might be called the cradle of the pre-historic races which 
colonized and inhabited Ancient Britain, and had left their traces 
over all the hills around them. Stonehenge itself must yield the 
palm in antiquity and mystery to the circles and avenues of Ave- 
bury, whilst the wonderful earthwork of Silbury Hill was not equal- 
led in magnitude in any part of the island. Again, there was the 
Castle-hill of Marlborough, which almost rivalled Silbury in mys- 
tery. This place, as they knew, had in later times been occupied by 
many of the early Norman kings, and during the last year of the reign 
of Edward the Third, had been the scene of one remarkable event, 
the enactment of the Statutes of Marlborough by the Parliament, 
then held here, which he believed was the first occasion in which 
the Commons of England made their appearance in Parliament. 
Placed as this district was about midway between London and 


The Sixth General Meeting. 247 


Bristol, the two early capitals of the South of England, it was 
the peculiar battle-field of contending factions, during the 12th, 
13th, and 14th centuries, and the scene of many a struggle between 
the barons and their sovereign, or between the barons themselves. 
Again, during the great rebellion in the middle of the 17th cen- 
tury, and even in later times, the rival forces here met during the 
civil conflicts which then occurred; so that he was correct in 
saying that for historical and antiquarian interest, this district, if 
not pre-eminent, equalled any other upon the face of our island. 
As to Ecclesiastical buildings, the neighbourhood certainly had no 
Cathedral like that of Salisbury, no Abbey like that of Lacock ; 
but it had several interesting parish churches, such as Preshute and 
Bedwyn, which would well repay an examination. There was also 
close to the town a Roman Station of considerable importance. 
He would now only add that this meeting would conclude in three 
days—and they would find those three days probably too short for 
the variety of subjects they had to examine—and that the com- 
mittee having taken into consideration the place of their next 
Annual Meeting, had come to the conclusion to hold it at Malms- 
bury. Malmsbury had many objeéts of antiquarian interest in and 
around it, and he hoped that the selection would be approved. 

The Rev. A. C. Smrru (one of the General Secretaries) then read 

THE REPORT. 

“The Committee of the Wiltshire Archeological and Natural His- 
tory Society have much pleasure in reporting the general well-being 
of the Society, which still maintains a steady increase in its number 
of members, the list of names now amounting to 388: being a slight 
addition since last year; and this, though we have to lament the 
deduction of ten members, by death, or withdrawal, or removal 
from the county. Thus the Society has gradually advanced with- 
out a single drawback from the day of its inauguration at Devizes 
in 1853, when it numbered 137 supporters, making a steady pro- 
gress every year, and attracting the attention and cohesion of resi- 
dents in all parts, until it has now gained a firm hold in the county, 
and your Committee would fain believe, has secured the good-will 
and interest of most educated Wiltshiremen. 

Q 2 


248 The Sixth General Meeting. 


“Still, however, it must not be lost sight of, that our object being 
to attract the assistance and sympathy of all who feel an interest 
in the past history and natural productions of our county, and our 
earnest desire being to embrace within our ranks all who have 
these things at heart, and can aid us in their several localities, we 
are most desirous of enlarging the list of our members to a yet 
farther extent. We hope to induce many more to join us who at 
present keep aloof from a most mistaken notion that our Society is 
a very learned and scientific body, whereas it proposes nothing 
more for its objects than the investigation of little-known facts, 
the elucidation of half-forgotten occurrences, the collecting infor- 
mation about past generations, and some insight into the Natural 
History of the county in all its branches. In effecting this, such 
a Society can only hope to be thoroughly successful through the 
instrumentality of many scattered throughout the several parishes ; 
and therefore it cordially invites the assistance of all who feel dis- 
posed to combine for this worthy object—viz., investigation of the 
past and natural History of Wilts. 

“Our finances claim your particular notice, for though apparently 
—and in reality—in a very flourishing condition, they are much 
hampered, and considerable inconvenience and loss caused, by many 
members neglecting to pay their subscriptions regularly, the ar- 
rears of which, for past years, still amount to a considerable sum, 
notwithstanding the earnest appeal on this matter in the Report 
of last year. 

“ Your Committee would next direct your attention to our library 
and museum at Devizes, both of which are daily available to mem- 
bers of the Society; and to the augmentation, and consequently 
increased usefulness of which, we confidently look forward, by 
donations of books and specimens, illustrating the two objects we 
have in view—viz., the Archeology and Natural History of the 
county. Both the library and museum have been enriched by 
many valuable contributions since last year. The Society has also 
received additions to their collection of Wiltshire tokens from seve- 
ral kind friends; acomplete catalogue of the coins issued by Wilt- 
shire tradesmen has been printed in the Magazine, and the Com- 


The Sixth General Meeting. 249 


mittee would express a hope that such of the friends of the Society 
as have it in their power, will aid in making this portion of their 
museum more complete. 

“The Magazine, under the management of Canon Jackson, (for 
whose labours as editor your Committee cannot sufficiently express 
their thanks), has now entered upon its sixth volume with, it is 
hoped, no lack of interesting material and undiminished ability. 
It will be seen that in prosecuting researches into the past history 
of the county, the Society has not forgotten the other object it has 
in view, but from time to time varies its treatises on antiquities 
with geological, botanical, and ornithological ‘notices. 

“Tt only remains for your Committee once more to impress upon 
your attention the necessity for your zealous co-operation: not 
only in enlisting new members as recruits to our ranks, (though 
that is of considerable service, and much strengthens our hands), 
but in making known anything of interest that may come under 
your notice in your several localities, illustrative of the Archeology 
or the Natural History of Wiltshire.” 2 

Thanks were given to the Committee for the Report, and for the 
pains and trouble which they had taken in presiding over the 
financial arrangements of the Society; and the same officers (with 
the exception of the President) having been re-appointed ; 

Mr. Scrorr said it had been proposed thatin the place of Mr. 
Sidney Herbert, whose term of office had just expired, Mr. Sotheron 
Estcourt should be requested to take the Presidency of the Society 
for the next three years. [This proposal met with unanimous as- 
sent. | 

The Rev. Canon Jackson then read the Paper of which he had 
given notice: “On the Greywethers, and their uses at Avebury 
and Stonehenge.” 

THE DINNER. 

At half-past three o’clock the members and their friends, includ- 
ing a great number of ladies, and amounting altogether to about 
100, dined in the large school-room lately built in St. Peter’s 
parish. An excellent repast was provided by Mr. Hammond of 
the Castle and Ball Inn, with liberal addition of venison and fruit 


250 The Sixth General Meeting. 


sent by the Marquis of Ailesbury. F. A. Carrington, Esq. of Og- 
bourne St. George, Recorder of Wokingham, and one of the most 
constant supporters of the Society, rendered further assistance upon 
this occasion by discharging most ably the duties of Chairman. 

In giving, after other introductory healths, that of the Bishop and 
Clergy of the Diocese, Mr. Carrington said: “I must in this in- 
stance depart from the usual form, and adopt that of the Bishops 
and Clergy: for perhaps all who are here are not aware that the 
town of Marlborough has, at the present time, the advantage of 
being presided over by two Bishops—viz., the Bishop of Salisbury, 
in whose diocese it is situated, and another Bishop, who is more im- 
mediately connected with it.1 We are under great obligations to 
the clergy in their public capacity, and there can be no doubt that 
the County Antiquarian Society depends in a main degree upon 
them for its support. The resident clergyman in each parish is 
able to look after its antiquities, to present them, or cause them to 
be presented, and give some account of their existence which we 
should often not know of, but for him.” The compliment to the 
clergy was acknowledged by the Rev. E. B. Warren, vicar of St. 
Mary’s, Marlborough. ) 

The healths of the Marquis of Lansdowne, President of the 
Society, and of the Magistrates, were then given; with special al- 
lusion to Geprge Matcham, Esq. of New House, near Salisbury, 
who was present: one of the Authors of the History of South 
Wiltshire, printed under the name and at the expense of Sir R. C. 
Hoare. 

Mr. Marcum, in the course of returning thanks said, he believed 
he was almost the Nestor,'not only of the magistrates, but of the 
antiquaries of Wiltshire. It was now between thirty and forty 
years ago that he first had the pleasure of seeing the town of 
Marlborough, as one of the magistrates of the county attending 
the Quaréer Sessions. 

The Chairman next ventured to propose the healths of two emi- 


‘The Rev. Edward Wyndham Tuffnell, D.D., Prebendary of Salisbury and 
Rector of St. Peter’s, Marlborough, consecrated June 14th, 1859, to the newly- 
erected Bishopric of Brisbane, Australia. 


The Sixth General Meeting. 251 


nent statesmen at once. They were the Right Hon. Sidney 
Herbert and the Right Hon. Sotheron Estcourt. Mr. Sidney 
Herbert had for three years been the President of their Archzeolo- 
gical Society. He might observe that no one took a greater inter- 
est in the archeology of the county to which he belonged than 
Mr. Sidney Herbert, and every archeologist ought to feel very — 
much obliged to him for having given the Society his services during 
the last three years. With regard to the other right hon. gentle- 
man—Mr. Sotheron Estcourt—it had been suggested that he should 
be asked to become the President of the Society for the next three 
years, and he (Mr. Carrington) hoped he would accept the office, 
for a man of his talent could not do otherwise than discharge its 
duties with advantage to the Society. [The toast was very heartily 
received. | 

The Marquis of Ailesbury’s name was next welcomed with much 
satisfaction, and in his absence, his brother Lord Ernest Bruce ” 
kindly promised to do the honours of Tottenham Court the next day. 

The Chairman said he would now propose the health of a gentle- 
man who had been one of the best supporters of the Wiltshire 
Archeological Society from the first hour of its institution to the 
present moment: Mr. Poulett Scrope. Some years had now elapsed 
since the Wiltshire Archeological Society was first started, and 
throughout its existence one of its most influential and persevering 
supporters had been Mr. Poulett Scrope. He had never for an in- 
stant slackened in his antiquarian energy; and to him it was in 
great measure owing that this was one of the best County Societies 
in England. Others—the Bristol Society for one—had crumbled 
into dust more than the very antiquities which they sought: but 
the Wiltshire Society was going on as it had begun: for which 
they were very much indebted to their friend the President of the 
Marlborough Meeting. 

Mr. Pouterr Scrorz in reply, only claimed the merit of having 
taken the same interest as others had shown in the archeology of 
the county. He-had wished to join in doing for the Northern part 
of Wiltshire, what Mr. Matcham and his colleagues had done for 
the South. 


252 The Siath General Meeting. 


The health of Lord Ernest Bruce was then given, and acknow- 
ledged by his Lordship. 

In thanking both the General “Secretaries” of the Society, as 
well as Mr. T. B. Merriman and Mr. R. E. Price who had under- 
taken the Honorary office for the temporary arrangements at 
Marlborough, Mr. Carrington alluded more particularly to the 
work which belongs to the office as connected with the publication 
of the Society’s Magazine. ‘With regard to the papers that ap- 
peared in it, they took days and weeks and months to compile. It 
sounded very pleasant: to ears polite to hear papers read, but he 
must remind them that it was only by great diligence that those 
papers were got into a complete form; and to the Secretaries, they 
were very much indebted, not only for those papers, but for the 
many other services which they unostentatiously performed. The 
papers published by other provincial Societies were in no way to 
be compared with those of this Society. That upon Avebury, read 
this morning, had given him the greatest satisfaction.” 

The Rev. Canon Jackson desired that among those whom the 
toast included, as having given much time and trouble to the com- 
position of Articles for the Magazine, might more particularly be 
named, the Rev. W. H. Jones, vicar of Bradford-on-Avon, and the 
Rev. J. Wilkinson, rector of Broughton Gifford; who, during the 
past year had each completed careful and excellent Histories of 
their respective parishes. 

After the healths of “The Mayor and Corporation of Marlbo- 
rough,” to which the Mayor, Mr. Gwitum, replied, following up 
his speech with a proposal of hearty thanks to “ Mr. Carrington,” 
for having added so much to the hilarity of the day: and then 
«The Ladies ;” on which the Rev. W. C. Luxis specially men- 
tioned the kindness of Mrs. John Britton (the Antiquary’s widow, 
then present), in making many donations to the museum; the 
company separated. 

THE CONVERSAZIONE. 

In the evening, the Rev. Canon Jackson resumed his paper, 
which now bore particular reference to the origin and date of 
Stonehenge, On this perplexing question, he felt, upon the whole, 


The Sixth General Meeting. 253 


most inclined to adopt the opinion that it was a work of the 5th 
century after Christ: constructed by the Britons during the inter- 
val of restored independence, between the dominion of the Romans 
and that of the Saxons. 

Mr. Marcuam stated some of the difficulties which prevented his 
concurring in this view of the matter. 

Mr. W. Cunnineron then read a paper on some recent disco- 
veries in a‘Roman Station at Baydon. 


SECOND DAY. WEDNESDAY, Serr. 28ru. 


Under the guidance of Mr. T. B. Merriman a large party went 
this morning to inspect places of interest on the east of Marlbo- 
rough. Passing up Forest Hill to Folly Farm, certain vestiges on 
the brow of the hill were pointed out as part of the site assigned 
by Sir R. C. Hoare to the Roman Station called Cunetio. The 
next point was Chisbury Castle, a few miles off. This is the name 
of a commanding position crowned with entyenchments and earth- 
works much hidden in wood. There are no old military buildings 
within the area, but a farmhouse and premises, and near them an 
ancient chapel (14th century) of flint and stone, which before the 
Reformation belonged to the Priory of St. Denis, near Southamp- 
ton. It is now used asa barn. The Rev. F. H. Buckerfield, vicar 
of Little Bedwyn, and the Rev. George Stallard, curate of East 
Grafton, kindly attended with plans and other information. 

Great Bedwyn Church was the next object, and the improve- 
ments it had undergone were explained by the Rev. W. C. Luxis: 
who then conducted the party into the middle of a wood called 
Castle Copse where in 1854 he had discovered the site of a Roman 
villa. This had been again opened for the present occasion. The 
spot is remarkable from having a branch of the Wansdyke running 
across it; from having an early British earthwork enclosing a con- 
- siderable area, and from being the site of perhaps several Roman 
villas. Upon one of the pavements had been found a lady’s gold 
ring, on which a cross was engraved: and which is now in the 
Society’s museum. 

Tottenham presented a timely refuge under a storm of rain, and 


254 The Sixth General Meeting. 


by the permission of Lord Ailesbury, the company (about ninety in 
number) took a pic-nic dinner in the Orangery. After which 
Lord Ernest Bruce politely conducted his numerous visitors over 
the House, and caused several very curious family relics to be ex- 
hibited: among others, the celebrated Savernake Horn, and the 
Seymour Pedigree. 


SECOND CONVERSAZIONE. 


In the evening at the Town-Hall, Mr. F. A. Carrtneton gave 
some amusing particulars about the “Ancient State of Marlborough 
and its inhabitants.” 

Mr. Pourerr Scrore called the attention of the Society to the 
curious discoveries recently made in France, of celts (stone axes) 
in a stratum of gravel or drift, containing relics of extinct species 
of animals, and suggested that search should be made for similar 
objects in the gravels of this county. 

Mr. Epwarp B. Merriman read an account of “The Charity of 
the Velvet Pall, and the Maces of the Town of Marlborough.” 


THIRD DAY. THURSDAY, Sepr. 29ru. 


This day was spent on the western side of Marlborough. On 
the way to the greater wonders of Silbury Hill and Avebury, the 
newly restored Church at Preshute (Priest’s Holt), and its cele- 
brated black marble Font, said to have been used in the reign of 
King John for Royal baptisms, were shown by the Rev. T. W. 
Dowding. 

The “Greywethers” came next. The vast collection of these 
remarkable blocks of stone, lying either imbedded, or on the sur- 
face of the ground, in a combe on the right hand of the turnpike 
road about four miles from Marlborough, though called “‘ The Val- 
ley of Stones,” is in fact only one of several such vallies. This and 
the great Cromlech called “The Devil’s Den,” having been ex- 
amined, a diversion was next made from the road beyond West 
Kennet to the “ Long Barrow” on the brow of a hill south of Sil- 
bury. This had been partly opened under the direction of Dr. 
Thurnam of Devizes, who under the friendly roof of a cart-shed 


The Sixth General Meetiny. 255 


(the wind being rather boisterous) gave an account of this burial 
place: as well as of the result of his discoveries in thirty other 
barrows opened by him during the last five years. 

The ascent and descent of Silbury Hill, the walk to the great 
upright stones called “The Devil’s Coits,” and thence to the vast 
circular vallum of Avebury, the Parish Church, &c., occupied the 
rest of the afternoon until about four o’clock, when the proceedings 
of this Meeting were brought to a conclusion at another pic-nic 
dinner (of nearly 100) in the School-room, which had been prettily 
decorated by Mr. Laurence Chivers the worthy and venerable 
parish clerk. The Rev. J. Lockhart Ross, vicar, Mr. George 
Brown, Mr. T. Kemm, and Mr. Hillier, gave the Society a very 
cordial welcome to their parish and its antiquities, and were in 
return as cordially thanked for the trouble they had all taken in 
providing for its accommodation. 

Before finally separating, the Rev. A. C. Smrru, vicar of Yates- 
bury, read an interesting Paper on the subject of Silbury Hill, in 
which he very strongly advocated the Sepuichral side of this dis- 
puted question. After having made deserved acknowledgement to 
Mr. Poulett Scrope for his Presidential labours, the company took 
their leave. 

The temporary Museum arranged by Mr. Edward Kite in the 
Assembly-room was an exceedingly good one: and to the Mayor 
and Corporation, the Local Committee, and more especially to Mr. 
T. B. Merriman and Mr. R. E. Price, the Society returns its grate- 
ful thanks for the exertions by which they enabled their visitors 
to enjoy a very satisfactory Anniversary Meeting at Marlborough. 

The subjects of the different Papers read at this Meeting have 
been here only briefly alluded to, as the Papers themselves will 
probably all appear in due time in this publication. 


256 


A Hist of Articles Exhibited 


IN THE 


TEMPORARY MUSEUM AT THE TOWN-HALL, MARLBOROUGH, 
September 27th, 28th, and 29th, 1859. 


Those marked with an Asterisk have been presented to the Society. 


By G. Pouterr Scropz, Ese., M.P., Castle Combe :— 

The Rey. J. M. Jephson’s Walking Tour in Brittany, with a Box of Photo- 

graphic views of scenery, churches, the megalithic monuments at Carnac, &e. 
By. Rey. W. C. Luxis, F.S.A. , liliiagbolirns Ducis :-— 

A series of 250 casts of Eratial Crosses, Letters, Founder’s Marks, and 
other devices from Church Bells in the counties of Wilts, Sussex, Norfolk, 
Yorkshire, Kent, &c. *Bone Pin, Beads of amber, jet, and Kimmeridge 
coal; and small drinking cup of coarse pottery, from Barrows in the parish 
of Collingbourne Ducis. * Portions of Mortaria and other vessels, glass, 
stucco, iron, and bronze articles found in a Roman Villa at ‘‘ Castle Copse,” 
in the parish of Great Bedwyn in 1853. [A small gold ring, engraved with 
a cross, together with, other articles of bronze, iron, and ivory, from the same 
Villa, have been before presented to the Museum of the Society, by the Mar- 
quis of Ailesbury, and the Rev. W. C. Lukis. See Vols. ii. p. 26, and iii. 
p. 14.] *An Ancient British silver coin, of Greek type; Roman coins, 
Tradesmen’s Tokens, Nuremberg Tokens, &c. found at Collingbourne Ducis. 

By Heyry J. F. Swayne, Ese., Recorder of Wilton, Netherhampton House :— 

* Photograph from the Charter granted by Henry I. to the Burgesses of 
Wilton. 

By T. Rawpon Warp, Esa. 

Petition presented by Mary Burden, of Corsham (widow of Captain William 
Burden), to Oliver Cromwell, for relief; and Cromwell’s order thereupon, 
bearing his autograph. Two autograph letters of John Locke. Also ten 
roundels, or fruit trenchers, temp. Queen Elizabeth, bearing quaint inscrip- 
tidns. 

By Francis LEYBouRNE PopHam, EsqQ., Littlecote Park :— 

Two swords; one of extraordinary length, dug up near Chiseldon in 1852. 
Portions of Encaustic Tile found at Littlecote. Also a small collection of 
Nuremberg and other Tokens. 

By Horatio NEtson GopparD, Ese., Clyffe Manor House :— 

Beads, glass, and iron Spear Head, found with skeletons on Thornhill Hill, 
in the parish of Clyffe Pypard, in 1836. Ancient iron key found on Holborow 
Castle in 1832. _ Ancient brass seal found in 1853 on the site of Bradenstoke 
Abbey, and figured in ‘Wilts Magazine,” ii. p. 387. Also several other 
ancient seals, bearing the arms, &c. of the Goddard family. Curious silver 
watch, temp. James I., ancient silver and brass spoons, &e. 


The Museum. Zot 


‘By Rev. E. B. Warren, Marlborough :— 

Two quarto volumes belonging to St. Mary’s Library; viz. ‘‘ Hore Beatis- 
sime Virginis Marie, §c., ad legitimum Sarisburiensis Hoolesive ritum,”’ A. _ 
1535; and ‘‘ Manuale (or Book of Offices) ad usum insignis Ecclesie Sar ;’ 
peaented at Paris, by Anthony Verard, and probably of about the same date. 
The former volume contains many curious specimens of early wood engrav- 
ings. 

By F. A. Carrineton, Esa., Recorder of Wokingham, Ogbourne St. George:— 

A very large and miscellaneous collection of Antiquities, including an iron 
“prank,” or ‘‘ bridle” used for the punishment of scolds, from the time of 
Charles I. to that of Queen Anne, Cavalry and Infantry Officer’s, and Pike- 
man’s helmets, gauntlets, &c., of the time of the Civil Wars. German, Rus- 
sian, Chinese, Circassian, and Indian weapons, of various kinds. Sword of 
John Banning, Esq., M.A., of Burbage, temp. Charles I. Sword of the 
Marlborough Cavalry 1794. Girdle Purse of the time of Queen Elizabeth. 
Exchequer Tally. Drawings of ancient Tobacco pipes (some manufactured 
by Gauntlett of Amesbury) found at Ogbourne St. George. A series of im- 
pressions from Wiltshire Brasses, and Monumental Slabs, enumerated in Vol. 
li. p. 14. 

By Tuomas B. Merriman, Esa., Marlborough :-— 

Model of the Cromlech. in Clatford bottom. Small Roman or Romano- 
British Urn, found at Beckhampton. Six Roundels, or fruit trenchers. En- 
graving of the Tottenham Park Horn from Vol. iii. of the Archwologia. 
Painting of the old House at Tottenham. * Wasp’s Nest (species apparently 
‘Vespa Norwegica”’) from a fir tree in Savernake Forest. *Impressions, in 
Gutta Percha, from the Common Seals of Marlborough, and Great Bedwyn. 
Helmet, Breast and Back Plates, Gorget, Sword (with Toledo blade), and 
Sword sling of Sir William Davy, of Mildenhall. Ring Dial. * Chalk fossils 
from the neighbourhood of Marlborough, including specimens of Lima spinosa, 
tooth of Oxyrhina, Terebratula carnea, serpula on ananchytes, and Micraster 
cor-anguinum. 

By the Mayor anp CorroraTion of MARLBOROUGH :-— 
Remains of the Marlborough Pillory, preserved in the Town-Hall. 
By Rey. T. W. Dowpina, Preshute ;— 

Ancient knife and pipe, the former found under the font, and the latter 
under the chancel walls of Preshute Church during a restoration in 1853 ; 
also specimens of the material of Preshute Font. 

By Miss Aprterorp, Ogbourne St. George :— 

Egg shaped watch, made by Grinkin of London, circa 1630, formerly the 
property of John Brunsden, Esq., of Ogbourne, who was fined by the Parlia- 
ment for his loyalty to Charles I. Alms bag, date 1632. Cribbage board, 
with legend, temp. Charles II. Shoes, &e. of the last century. 

By R. E. Price, Esa., Marlborough :— 

Sevres vase. Malachites from South Australia. Household god, bronze 
jug, and glass oilvbottle, from Pompeii. Chinese joss, teapot, and Prayer 
book to the Goddess of Mercy, &e., &e. 

By Dr. Somerset, 
Curious caryed wooden chair of the 17th century, with drawer beneath the 


258 The Museum. 


seat. Chinese shoe. Australian shield, boomerang, spear, instrument for 
throwing spear, waddie, &e. 
By Henry Fox Tarzor, Esa., Lacock Abbey :— 

*Ten specimens of Engraving by Photography, including views of The 
Tuileries at. Paris; Statue of Charles IV. at Prague; Chamber of Deputies, 
Madrid; Great Bell of Moscow ; Doorway of San Gregorio, Valladolid ; Bird’s 
eye view of Paris; Cascade in the Tyrol; Sea view on the English Coast, &c. 

By Rey. T. F. RavensHaw, Pewsey :— 

* Twelve Stereoscopic views, including Amesbury, Pewsey, and Wootton 
Rivers Churches, Stonehenge, &e. 

By Joun Tuurnam, Esq., M.D., F.S.A., Devizes :— 

Fossil Sponges and Shells from the Upper Green Sand near the Wilts 
County Asylum. Model of the large trilith at Stonehenge, showing the mor- 
tises and tenons. Ancient British skull from a barrow on Morgan’s Hill. 
Small earthen cup from a barrow at Wansdyke; also several cards of flint, bone, 
ivory, and jet objects from barrows in the neighbourhood of Marlborough. 

By W. Barrterr, Ese., Burbage :— 

Three ancient horse-shoes found near Silbury Hill; accompanied by a 
printed description from Mr. Bracy Clark’s work on shoeing horses, in which 
two of the examples are represented in a lithographic plate. [Mr. Clark con- 
siders them to be the oldest known specimens, and to have belonged possibly 
to the same horse, although not found together. The close resemblance in their 
peculiar formation, shows beyond doubt that they are of the same period; and 
from the appearance of the shoes, with the nails in them, Mr. Clark conjec- 
tures that the horse was buried with the shoes on its hoofs. No bones of the 
horse are said to have been seen, but a human skeleton lay near the spot 
where one of the shoes was found.] An ivory carving of the Virgin and 
Child, about ten inches in height, found at Martin, in the parish of Great 
Bedwyn. [This probably belonged to the ancient chapel of St. Martin, some 
other relics from the site of which were also exhibited by Mr. Selfe. The 
top of the head, in the effigy of the Virgin, is flat, and has a hole or socket, 
by means of which a small moveable crown (perhaps of silver) seems to have 
been attached.] A collection of Chalk Fossils from the neighbourhood of 
Burbage, with specimens of fossil wood, and horns of Cervus elathas, from 
the same locality ; and fossil ivory from’Shalbourn. Tomtit’s nest and eggs 
found embedded in a large elm tree at Burbage. An iron weapon or gisarme, 
and two ancient spurs and rowel. Also, a small but interesting collection of 
English coins, including many gold pieces, some of early date. Exchequer 
Tally. Gold ring, with initials I. H. and a true lover’s knot, found at Frox- 
field. A landscape, composed of lichens and mosses from the neighbourhood, 
by Miss Wride of Froxfield. 

By Rev. J. H. Ausren, Ensbury, Dorset :— 

* Specimens of ‘‘Kimmeridge Coal Money,” found in Dorsetshire. 
By J. Iveson, Esa., Marlborough :— 

Preserved heads of Red and Fallow Deer, from Sayvernake Forest. 
By J. Turnsvut1, Ese., Durley :— 

Specimens of fifteen varieties of Ferns, from Savernake Forest and neigh- 
bourhood. 

By Rev. E. Witton, West Lavington :— 
Stone celt from the Shannon. Bronze ring with the initial ‘‘3” found at 


The Museum. 259 


Little Cheverel. Gold ring, with opal stone, bearing the motto ‘sf JE* svIS* 
HICI* EN ‘LIEV‘D’”’ found at Goatacre. Siege piece of Charles I. found on 
Imber Down. Several varieties of fibule, two bronze celts (one of an unusual 
type), and one of a pair of hawk’s varvels, with inscription, from West La- 
vington Downs. Impression from bell metal seal of John Wykes, found at 
Littleton. Metal spoon found in digging for the foundation of the New Corn 
Exchange, Devizes. 
By T. Bruces Fiower, Esa., Bath :— 
Two folio volumes containing a complete series of British Grasses and Ferns. 
By Jonny Hatcoms, Ese., Hungerford :— 

John of Gaunt’s Bugle Horns, belonging to the Town of Hungerford. The 
more ancient one, which is in a mutilated condition, bears an almost oblite- 
rated inscription in black letter; the words ‘‘actel” or ‘‘astel,” and ‘‘—gur- 
ford” only remaining (according to Lysons): the other is inscribed thus:— 
“TOHN * A‘ GAVN * DID’ GIVE * AND ‘ GRANT ' THE ‘ RIALL * FISHING * TO ‘ HVN- 
GERFORD * TOWNE‘ FROM * ELDREN * STVB‘ TO ‘ IRISH * STIL * EXEPTING * SOM . 
SEVERAL * MIL‘ POVND * IEHOSAPHAT * LVCVS * WAS ' CVNSTABL * 1634.” 

Charters of Edward-IV. and Henry VI. to the Town of Hungerford, with 
Great Seal attached; also the Common Seal of the Borough of Hungerford. 
An elegant silver basket, supposed to be of an almost unique style of work- 
manship; date 1692. 

By H. Serre, Esq., Martin :— 

Portions of lead, quarries of stained glass, nails, key, knives, spoon, and 
other relics, found in digging on the site of the ancient chapel of St. Martin, 
at Martin, in the parish of Great Bedwyn. 

By Rey. G. Srattarp, East Grafton :— 

A thick volume containing a series of engravings, lithographs, and original 
drawings, chiefly of Wiltshire Churches, and their details. Specimens of En- 
caustic Tile from the chapel of St. Nicholas, East Grafton. 

By the Mayor or Woorton BassEt:—- 

Remains of the Wootton Basset Cucking Stool, bearing the date of 1668. 

This vehicle in its perfect state is figured in “ Wilts Magazine,” i. p. 68. 
By Mr. CU. May, Marlborough :— 

An interesting series of objects from the collection of the late J. Stoughton 
Money, Esq., F.S.A.; among which the following are particularly worthy of 
notice, as relating to the county of Wilts:—Portion of leather in which a 
skeleton, found some years since at Bradenstoke Abbey, was enveloped. [The 
discovery of this early interment is mentioned in Bowles and Nichols’s “‘ An- 
nals, &e. of Lacock Abbey,” p. 33.] Roman and other coins found, in 1849, 
in a field, called Boxbury, in the parish of Yatesbury. Quarry of stained 
glass, bearing the arms of Fettiplace, from a window in the Old Parsonage 
House at Yatesbury. Encaustic Tiles found on the site of Bradenstoke and 
Stanleigh Abbeys, and in the churchyard at Yatesbury. Fragments of a 
coffin formerly suspended from the roof of Heddington church, and mentioned 
in Britton’s Wiltshire volume of the Beauties of England and Wales. Por- 
tion of Samian Ware, Fibula, &c. from the supposed site of the Roman Sta- 
tion Verlucio, near Wans House. ‘Two large saucer shaped Anglo-Saxon 

. fibula of copper gilt, amber beads, pin, &c. found with a skeleton near Mil- 
denhall, in 1827. Arrow head of bronze from a barrow near Charlton, Don- 


260 The Museum. 


head, Wilts, opened in 1832. Flint implements, two coins, and fragments 
of iron, from a tumulus near Devizes, opened in 1840. Spur from Roundway 
Down. Portion ofa Tessellated Pavement, together with numerous bone pins, 
fibula, glass, pottery, &c., from a Roman Villa, near the site of Old Bromham 
House, excavated by J. Stoughton Money, Esq. in 1840. [Two Roman Sepul- 
chral Urns, presented to the Museum of the Society by the Rey. A. C. Smith, 
Rector of Yatesbury, (see ‘“‘ Wilts Magazine,” i. p. 60.) were also discovered 
at the same time. ] 
By Mr. Samvet Dopp, Kentish Town Road, London -— 

An original Warrant of Edward I. bearing date May 1, 1302, addressed to 
the bailiffs and burgesses of the town of Bonnegarde, and issued from Devizes 
Castle. A somewhat mutilated impression of the Great Seal is appended. 

By Mr. Cunnineton, F.G.S., Devizes :— 

Four cases containing selected specimens of Fossil Sponges, from the Chalk 
flint, ammonites and other fossils from the Chalk Marl of North Wilts. Iron 
card or comb for carding wool or flax. Roman ampulla, scorie of iron, nails, 
coal, fragments of pottery, including Mortaria, &c., red tile, and specimens 

. of building stone, found on the site of a Roman Station near Baydon. Draw- 
ing in water colours of Avebury restored, by George Cattermole. 
By Mr. B. J. Witxes, Manor Farm, Baydon :— 

Ampulla, and other specimens of Roman ware, bronze fibulce, coins of Con- 
stantine, Magnentius, &c., scorice of iron, and quern found lying on a human 
skeleton, on the site of a Roman Station at Baydon. Piece of Tapestry, about 
15 inches by 12, representing the Creation, and apparently of about the time 
of Queen Elizabeth. 

By the Rr. Hon. Lorp Craven, Ashdown Park :— 

Roman coins from the Station at Baydon; and a rude hatchet-shaped wea- 

pon of iron, found near Ashdown House. 
By Mr. Epw. Kite, Devizes :— 

Model of Preshute Font. Warrant of Alienation of the Manor of Chiseldon, 
temp. James I., with Great Seal appended. Memorandum of the Court of 
Quarter Sessions held at New Sarum 15th Jany. 1649, respecting an allow- 
ance of £60 4s. 6d. to Daniel Drake, keeper of the Gaol at Fisherton Anger, 
for maintenance of prisoners during the Commonwealth. 

By Mr. W. F. Parsons, 

Piece of ancient Tapestry, formerly in an old mansion at Greenhill, in the 
parish of Wootton Basset. 

By Mrs. Parsons, Wootton Basset :— 
Large oil Painting of the ancient Palace at Richmond. 
By Mr. James Brown, Salisbury:— 
Portion of a bronze dagger (Roman) found at Upton Scudamore ; also an iron 
article resembling in form a human foot (use unknown), found at Old Sarum. 
By Mr. T. Kemm, Avebury:— 
A collection of Butterflies, Moths, &e. 
By Mr. N. K. Wentwortu, Beckhampton :— 
Two Roman coins (one a silver coin of Valentinianus) found near Silbury Hill. 
By Mr. W. Baverstocx, Marlborough :— 
Case of Butterflies and Moths from the neighbourhood of Marlborough. 
A number of objects were also contributed from the Museum at Devizes. 


261 


Great Hedyn, 
By the Rev. Jonn Wazp, M.A.,, Rector of Wath, Co. York. 


1. Account oF THE ParRisH AND CHURCH. 


HE small market town of Great Bedwyn is situated in the 
ViCls Hundred of Kinwardstone, about two miles south of the 
great road from London to Bath, between the towns of Hungerford 
and Marlborough. By an Act of Her Majesty in Council, a.p. 
1847, it is now comprised in the Deanery of Marlborough, the 
Archdeaconry of Wilts, and the Diocese of Salisbury : but formerly 
the archidiaconal jurisdiction was vested in the Prebendaries of 
Bedwyn, and the episcopal jurisdiction in the Deans of Salisbury. 
The Anglo Saxon name was “ Bedan-heafod,”’ sc. Graves’ Head. 
Aubrey’s and Stukeley’s suggestions, the one that it is derived from 
the Celtic, bed, grave, and gwyn, white: the other, that it was the 
Leucomagus of the Romans, are not sustained by any authority. 
The indications of a Roman station are still visible to the south 
of the town in a wood now called Bedwyn Brail, but in former 
times “ Bruell’ de Bedwynde,” Bruell’ being a contraction of Bruel- 
letus, a small coppice or little wood. A small castrametation sur- 
rounding about two acres of land was the centre of the station, 
and still contains a large quantity of bricks, tessere, and many 
other evidences of Roman habitation. It was situated about half 
a mile east of the Roman road, which connected Winchester with 
Marlborough, Cirencester, and other large towns to the north; and 
between the station and the road were discovered, about 80 years 
ago, the remains of a villa, with valuable specimens of tessellated 
pavement, foundations of brick-work, and a massive lead cistern, 
which were all unfortunately destroyed. In 1853 several pavements 
were discovered near the same spot; one was of coarse tessere in 
a chequered pattern of red and white, and the others were of more 
elaborate designs. Drawings! of them were fortunately taken at 


They are in the possession of the Rey. W. C. Lukis, 
R 


262 Great Bedwyn. 


the time, for they have since been destroyed by idle boys. Bronze 
articles, earthenware vessels of numberless patterns, implements of 
iron, nails, Roman coins, glass, &c., were also met with, as well as 
a small gold ring, on which is engraved a cross, and which from its 
size belonged to a lady. These articles are in the Society’s Mu- 
seum. Another villa, about a mile and a half to the north-west 
of the station, existed in Tottenham Park, a short distance from 
the mansion, and its pavement was exposed to view on the occasion 
of the Society’s Meeting in Marlborough in September, 1859. 

But though undoubtedly an ancient town, and once of consider- 
‘able importance, the history of Bedwyn is involved in obscurity. 
Prior to the Conquest we only find it mentioned once in the Saxon 
Chronicle, as having been the scene of a sanguinary and undecided 
conflict in a.p. 674, between Wulphere, King of Mercia, and Es- 
cuin, King of Wessex. At that period it is supposed to have been 
the chief post of Cissa, Viceroy of the Counties of Wilts and Berks 
under Escuin: whose stronghold was the adjoining fortification of 
Chisbury, to which he gave his name, and probably added very 
greatly to its strength. The Camp at Chisbury contains an area 
of fifteen acres, doubly, and in some places, trebly embanked, the 
acclivities being very steep and high. A section of these mounds, 
made by Sir Richard Hoare, proved that they had been very con- 
siderably increased in height, as the turf covering of a former em- 
bankment was exposed, fifteen feet below the present surface. 
This addition, however, may have been made by the Danes. 

In Domesday, the tax-book of William the Conqueror, completed 
in the last year of his reign, we find that the king held Bedvynde, 
and that it had been previously held by Edward the Confessor ; 
also, that Bristoardus, a priest, held the Church of Bedvynde, hay- 
ing succeeded his father, who had held it before the Conquest. 
The town was obliged to provide one night’s entertainment! for 

1Qn Sunday, the 17th of February, 1442-3, the King’s Chamberlain and 
Secretary supped at Bedwind on pullets, capons, and wine, which were fur- 
nished by the parish. They also dined there on the 18th, The king (Henry 
VI.) was himself at Bedwyn on the 12th of the preceding June; and King John 


was in the town December 3rd, 1200, on his way from Abingdon to Ludgershall 
Castle. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 263 


the king’s household, with all usual customs. There were twenty- 
five burgesses belonging to this Manor. 

The Lordship of Bedwyn was subsequently granted by Henry 
II. to John Mareschal, who held the office of marshal to the king. 
His eldest son John was confirmed in this office, and in the lands 
which he held of the Crown, but dying issueless, his brother Wil- 
liam Mareschal, Earl of Pembroke, succeeded.as his heir. Isabel, 
one of the earl’s daughters, carried his Wiltshire estate into the 
De Clare family, Earls of Gloucester and Hertford. From them it 
passed by marriag@ to Hugh de Audley, second husband of Mar- 
garet, sister and co-heir to Gilbert de Clare, the last earl of that 
name. Hugh de Audley was created Earl of Gloucester, and died 
without male issue in a.p. 1347; but his daughter and heir carried 
his possessions into the family of Ralph de Stafford, Baron, and 
afterwards Earl of Stafford, and they continued in this family un- 
til the death of Henry de Stafford, second Duke of Buckingham, 
who was beheaded at Salisbury, in a.p. 1483. Thus Bedwyn passed 
again into the possession of the Crown, but was immediately be- 
stowed by Richard III., with many other estates, upon John 
Howard, Duke of Norfolk. This nobleman was slain, two years 
afterwards, at the battle of Bosworth, and being attainted, Bedwyn 
once more reverted to the Crown. It is not known whether, on 
the restoration of Thomas, son and heir of John, Duke of Norfolk, 
this lordship was again conferred upon the Howards; but it is 
believed that it remained in the Crown until granted by Henry 
VIII. to his brother-in-law, Sir Edward Seymour, created Viscount 
Beauchamp, of Hache, a.p. 1536, Earl of Hertford a.p. 1537, and 
Duke of Somerset a.p. 1547. On the premature death of William, 
third Duke of Somerset, under age, A.p. 1671, many of his posses- 
sions devolved upon his sister, Lady Elizabeth Seymour. On the 
death of Francis, fifth Duke of Somerset, without issue, a.p. 1678, 
she inherited other estates in this parish and neighbourhood, as 
right heir to her uncle, John, the fourth Duke, who, by his will, 
had devised them, first to Francis and his heirs male, and afterwards 
to his own right heirs. She married 21st August, 1676, Thomas 
Lord Bruce, who became third Earl of Elgin and second Karl of 


R 2 


264 Great Bedwyn. 


Ailesbury ; and in this family the estates have continued to the 
present day, being now vested in George William Frederick, Mar- 
quis of Ailesbury, the noble owner of Tottenham Park in this 
parish. 

The former mansion of the Seymours was at Wolfhall, the U/fela 
of Domesday. Before the Seymours it was the seat of the Esturmys, 
who held lands in this immediate vicinity at the Conquest, and were 
Wardens of Savernake Forest for many generations, till all their 
possessions passed through females into other hands in the fifth 
year of the reign of Henry VI. Maud Esturmy, co-heir of Sir 
William Esturmy, having married Roger Seymour, brought all his 
lands in this parish and in Burbage into that family. The Sey- 
mours, also, had the wardenship of Savernake Forest continued to 
them by the Crown. 

The old house at Wolfhall was partially destroyed about the 
year 1662, and nothing remains now but ‘The Laundry” and an 
ancient barn, in which, it is said, the feast was kept on the mar- 
riage of Henry VIII. with Jane Seymour. William, second Duke 
of Somerset, commenced the building of a new mansion at Totten- 
ham. He also laid out a princely place, and planted many trees, 
but neither he nor his grandson, the third Duke, lived to see the 
completion of their plans. The present house was enlarged under 
the eye of the celebrated Earl of Burlington; but was entirely re- 
modelled by the late Marquis of Ailesbury, who added many noble 
rooms to the former building. 

Among the curiosities at Tottenham Park are three ancient 
swords, about one of which there is no certain information. The 
others are both Andrea Ferraras. One of them belonged to Robert 
Bruce, King of Scotland, the arms of which country are repeated 
six or eight times on the hilt; the other was the sword of the 
Black Douglas. The hilt is inlaid with silver, and bears the cog- 
nizance of the Douglas. The blade, which seems to have been 
used with effect, records the service in which it was engaged, in 
the following couplets, engraved one on each side :— 


‘¢ This is the sword that once was worn 
By the Black Douglas at Bannockburn.” 


ee 


— 


a 


‘(silvia0)' AUNESAINY 40 SINDUVW AHL JO NOISSassOd S3H1 NI MON [SAWUNLSWY SHL JO NYO 3H] 


a 


Mi 
DY 


G 


Fi 
Me 
MH: 
tf 
Vp, 


\ 
RAN 


AWN 
\ NS 


THE HorRN oF THE ESTURMYS; NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE Marquis OF AILESBURY . 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 265 


‘* At Bannockburn I served the Bruce 
Whereof the English made little use.”—Anno 1314. 

There is also a magnificent hunting horn of ivory, with mount- 
ings in enamelled silver, which has descended to the Bruce family 
from the Esturmys through the Seymours. The possession of this 
horn is said to be the title by which the wardenship of Savernake 
Forest is held under a charter, granted 23rd July, 1 Edward VI., to 
Edward, Duke of Somerset. The horn (See Plate), is about two feet 
long, and the diameter across the largest end is five inches and a half. 
The thickness of the ivory at this end is about an inch, and it is 
covered by a plate of silver, polygonal at the circumference, but with 
a circular opening in the centre. It is divided into sixteen compart- 
ments (corresponding with the polygon) by uprights diverging from 
the centre, and connected at the top by trefoiled arches; in each 
compartment is the figure of a hawk upon a diapered ground, each 
bird being in a different attitude. The band round the large end 
of the horn, which is attached to the edge of the above plate, is 
two inches and a half wide; this also is divided into sixteen com- 
partments by uprights resembling hunting spears. The three 
centre compartments have each three trefoiled arches set level, 
like a corbel table, under the rim of the band. In the middle is 
the figure of a crowned king sitting on a throne, holding up his 
right hand, and bearing the sceptre in the left. In the compart- 
ment on his right, sits a bishop, habited in his episcopal dress and 
mitre, holding up his left hand, and having a book in his right. 
In the compartment on the king’s left hand is a huntsman, intended 
perhaps to represent the warden of the forest. He is blowing a 
horn, has a sword in his left hand, and a belt over his left shoulder. 
The other thirteen compartments are somewhat different from those 
in the centre, having a series of plain segmental arches running 
along the top, instead of the trefoiled arches. They contain represen- 
tations of a lion, a fox, a rabbit, a doe, an unicorn, two stags, and 
six hounds of different descriptions. Behind the animals are trees of 
various kinds, and all the back grounds are diapered. A second 
band is set about an inch from the first; it is two inches broad, 
and has sixteen compartments similar to the thirteen mentioned 


266 Great Bedwyn. 


above. A ring occupies the upper compartment, and the rest are 
filled, as before, with hounds and beasts of venery, the lion and 
unicorn being omitted, and a squirrel added. A third band of the 
same breadth as the last, and similarly divided, carries the second 
ring for the belt. Only hounds and deer are represented in these 
compartments, accompanied by the huntsman and a person on 
horseback. The mouth-piece is also of silver, with diaper work 
between the edgings. 

The belt, which could not have belonged originally to this 
horn, is a flat band of green worsted weft, mounted with en- 
amelled silver medallions and other ornaments. The two ends 
of the belt are attached to the horn by rings set on to flat pieces 
of silver, which are fastened to the worsted band; on one of them 
is the figure of a stag couchant, and on the other, a coat of arms 
bearing Argent, three lozenges within a double tressure, flory and 
counter-flory, Gules, with two birds as supporters.!_ The two ends 
of the belt are joined, at no great distance from the horn, by a 
curiously shaped ornament, connected on each side by hinges, to a 
medallion on the centre of the band. This ornament resembles in 
_ shape and form a rather flat dos d’ Ane, only it is shorter, and the 
wide end is round. In the triangular figure formed by this round 
end and the lines running up from the extremities to the point of 
the ridge, is a lion couchant; in the triangle at the opposite end 
is a butterfly. The two sides of the dos d’ ane are filled with a 
lozenge, containing the figure of a heron; and four smaller tri- 
angles are filled with three leaves. 

The arms, as above, are repeated on fourteen medallions, set at 
equal distances on the belt: between the medallions are silver bars 
across the belt, with a hole im the centre to receive the tongue of 
the buckle. 

There is also at Tottenham Park a magnificently illuminated 
pedigree of the Seymour family, bringing their genealogy down to 


1 These arms, which are on the be/é, not on the horn itself, seem to be those 
of Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, the Bruce’s nephew, who bore, Or, three 
-lozeuges (not cushions, says Mr, Laing, Scottish Seals, Nos. 689, 690,) within a 
double tressure flory counter-flory Gules. There is an engraving with some 
account of this horn in Archewologia, vol. iii. p. 28. [£d.] 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 267 


the beginning of the seventeenth century. It is about six feet 
wide and twenty-three feet long, containing many miniature por- 
traits, blazonings of arms, fac-similes of seals, deeds, grants, &c., 
and an elaborate drawing of the celebrated horn just described. 
The Ecclesiastical History of Bedwyn, which comes next to be 
noticed, is made up of scanty materials collected at various times, 
as sources of information have sprung up. A church existed here, 
as we have seen, as early as Edward the Confessor’s time; and it 
is supposed that the Prebend of Bedwyn was founded in the 
Cathedral of Old Sarum, at the time of the consecration of 1 that 
building on the 5th of April, 1092, whem the episcopal see ens re- afl | 
moved from Sherborne by Bishop Herman. It certainly existed#24 fen : 
prior to the foundation of the present Cathedral in a.p. 1220. 
This prebend was dissolved, with some others in New Sarum, by 
Henry VIII., and its possessions subsequently granted to the Duke 
of Somerset, who, with his successors, continued to exercise the 
privilege of the prebendary’s archidiaconal jurisdiction (through the 
medium of an official) down to the year 1847, when all peculiar ju- 
risdiction was abolished within the limits of the Diocese of Sarum. 
Of the ancient ecclesiastical prebendaries, the names of only five 
have been preserved, viz., Richard de Dynteworth, instituted in 
1337: John de Gudwell, also of the time of Edward III.; Nicholas 
Wickham, who, in .p. 1405, visited the church of Bedwyn parva; 
Thomas Beckington, secretary and formerly tutor to Henry VI., 
and afterwards the munificent Bishop of Bath and Wells; and 
Peter Vann, in a.p. 1534, who afterwards became Dean of Sarum. 
The Originalia Rolls in the Exchequer state that John de Gud- 
well made a fine with the king (Edward ITI.) for 40s., to have the 
restoration of certain liberties which had formerly been seised into 
the king’s hands; and, in a.p. 1840, he was allowed cognizance of 
pleas in his court of Bedwyn, which had jurisdiction also in the 
parish of Collingbourne Comitis, afterwards Collingbourne Ducis. 
The vicarage of the church has always been, unless by lapse, in 
the patronage of the prebendaries, which is now exercised by the 
Marquis of Ailesbury. Its revenues in the year 1341 amounted 
to £8 6s. 8d. In a.p. 1534, it was worth by the year clear 
£8 10s. 8d.; but in 1810, it had increased to about £90. Some 


268 Great Bedwyn. 


exertions were made about that time to raise the income upon a 
fresh valuation, and the result eventually placed the yearly sum of 
£154 2s. 113d. at the disposal of the vicar. This sum was com- 
muted, in the year 1850, for £212. The vicarage has also been 
augmented from private benefaction, from the Parliamentary 
Grant Fund, and from Queen Anne’s Bounty. The glebe, includ- 
ing the church-yard, is about two acres. 

The succession of vicars, prior to the year 1548, is not preserved 
either in the Registry of the Deans of Salisbury, or in the First 
Fruits Office in London. 


Mr. Roger Derby was, however, vicar in 1405, and 

Thomas Dogeson died vicar in 1500 or 1501. 

Richard Yonge is mentioned as vicar in the Ecclesiastical Survey (26 Henry 
VIII.) 

Joseph Smith preceded 

William Wingfield, the first vicar enrolled in the Dean’s Registers as having 
been instituted in A.D. 1564. Patron, Thomas Blagrave, Esquire, as tem- 
porary Lessee of the great Tythes. 

Henry Shawe succeeded on Wingfield’s resignation in 1573. Patron, Sir 
Edward Seymour, Knt. 

Henry Shawe, in 1574. Patron, Queen Elizabeth. 

Richard Baylie, not mentioned in the Dean’s Registers, is repeatedly styled 
vicar in the Registers of the parish between the years 1576 and 1582, when 
he was buried. 

Roger Glass, instituted in 1581, the year before Baylie’s death. Patron, the 
Earl of Hertford. 

Adam Noyes, in 1595, on the resignation of Glass. Patron, Queen Elizabeth. 

Henry Tayler, in 1598. Patron, the Earl of Hertford. 

William Slatyer, in 1611. Patron, James I., by lapse. 

Joshua Slatyer, in 1616. 

Henry Tayler, in 1617. Patron, the Earl of Hertford. 

Richard Plummer, in 1627. The same Patron. Richard Plummer was buried 
27 August, 1649. 

Solomon Renger is styled vicar in the Parish Registers in 1650, 51, and 53, but 
his name does not occur in the First Fruits Office or in the Dean’s Register. 
He was buried 17 January, 1653-4. 

Robert Billings, in 1661. Patron, William, Duke of Somerset. 

Robert Randall, in 1668. The same Patron. Robert Randell died in 1679. 

William Meaden, in 1679. Patron not mentioned. 

Nicholas Andrews, in 1714, on Meaden’s resignation. Patron, Charles, Baron 
Bruce of Whorlton. 

John Arnald, in 1733, on the deprivation of Andrews. The same Patron. 

Thomas Giffard, the younger, in 1736, on the resignation of Arnald. The same 
Patron. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 269 


Henry Howard, B.A., in 1739, on the cession of Giffard. The same Patron. 

William Loggon, M.A., in 1742, on the cession of Howard. The same Patron, 
then Earl of Ailesbury. 

Charles King, M.A., in 1748, on the resignation of Loggon. Patron, Thomas, 
Baron Bruce of Tottenham. 

William Harrison, D.D., in 1759, on the death of King. The same Patron. 

Henry Jenner, B.A., in 1768, on the cession of Harrison. The same Patron. 
He was elder brother of the celebrated Edward Jenner, M.D. 

Thomas Brown, B.D., in 1774, on the cession of Jenner. The same Patron. 

John Roberson, M.A., in 1784, on the cession of Brown. Patron, the Dean of 
Salisbury, by lapse. 

David Williams, in 1787, on the death of Roberson. Patron, Thomas, Earl of 
Ailesbury. 

Henry Williams, in 1789, on the cession of D, Williams. The same Patron. 

William Moore, in 1796, on the death of H. Williams. Patron the Dean of 
Sarum, by lapse. 

William Skey, B.A., in 1799, on the resignation of Moore. Patron, Thomas, 
Earl of Ailesbury. 

Henry Wilson, B.A., in 1814, on the cession of Skey. Patron, Charles, Earl 
of Ailesbury. 

James Hall, M.A., in 1822, on the cession of Wilson. Patron, Charles, Marquis 
of Ailesbury, K.T. 

John Ward, B.A., in 1826, on the cession of Hall. The same Patron. 

William Collings Lukis, M.A., in 1850, on the cession of Ward. The same 
Patron. 

John Dryden Hodgson, M.A., in 1855, on the cession of Lukis. The same 
Patron. 


During the incumbency of the Rev. John Ward, a new Church, 
with a District annexed, was built at East Grafton, the central 
hamlet of an extensive outlying portion of the parish. This build- 
ing, dedicated to St. Nicholas (the patron saint of a former chapel 
in this hamlet), and erected chiefly by the munificence of the late 
Marquis of Ailesbury and his son (then Earl Bruce,) is one of the 
most successful results of modern Church architecture.! It is in 
the style of the early part of the 12th century, and consists of a 
fully developed chancel, terminated with a circular apse; a well- 
proportioned nave with clere story and aisles; and at the north-west 
angle a plain tower pierced in the upper story with open arches, 
and covered with a low stone spire. The architect was Benjamin 
Ferrey, Esq. The site and endowment were given by the Marquis 


' See detailed account in Gent. Mag., July, 1844. 


270 Great Bedwyn. 


of Ailesbury, who also built the parsonage. The first incumbent 
was the Rev. Henry Ward, M.A., who was instituted on the 11th 
of April, 1844, the day of the consecration of the Church. He 
resigned the incumbency on the 25th of November, 1845, and the 
Rev. William Collings Lukis, M.A., was instituted by the Dean of 
Salisbury, on the 19th of January following. The Rev. John Dry- 
den Hodgson, M.A., late Fellow of St. Peter’s College, Cambridge, 
was instituted on the cession of Mr. Lukis, in 1850, and the Rev. 
George Stallard, M.A., on the cession of Mr. Hodgson in 1855. 


New Church at East Grafton, Wilts. 

Bedwyn Parish formerly contained 14,098 acres of land, which 
still constitute the prebend. There were five Chapels efHese to 
the mother Church, four of which have been ruined for several 
centuries. 1. At Grafton was St. Nicholas, which was presented to 
so lately as in a.p. 1579, and which stood in a field nearly opposite 
to the new Church. The foundations of this Chapel with debris of 
stained glass and pavement tiles, were dug up and removed in the 
year 1844. In plan it was a simple parallelogram, with two but- 
tresses at each angle, the interior dimensions having been 53 feet 


THE BorouGH SEAL OF GREAT BEDWYN. 


LOUIODOCOL TOTO TTT ocr Tor 
= 


MIT ition LUDGOC TTT D ET TT 


CLE T 


ANCIENT PAX,FOUND AT EAST GRAFTON. 


Baw 


ae eee 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 271 


long, by 17 feet 6 inches wide. An ancient Pax (of Laten gilt), which 
doubtless belonged to this Chapel, was found in 1846 by a labourer 
in levelling a hedge not far from the site of the Chapel, and was 
presented to the Society’s Museum by the Rey. W. C. Lukis. It 
is probably of the date of Henry VII. or Henry VIII. (See Plate.) 
2. At Chisbury, the Free Chapel of St. Martin, presented to in A.D. 
1496, by the Bishop of Salisbury, by lapse. The building still re- 
mains, and is a very beautiful specimen of Decorated architecture. 
It is 52 feet 6 inches long, and 20 feet 2 inches wide in the interior, 
and at 18 feet 6 inches from the east end stood the screen which sepa- 
rated the chancel from the nave. It was endowed, as mentioned 
in the Inquisitions of Ninths made in the year 13841, with tythe 
then amounting by the year to 48s. 6d., and with ten acres of land 
worth 5s. 3. At Knowl was a Chapel, of which there is no known 
record, but parts of the building stillremain. 4. At Little or East 
Bedwyn, the Chapel of St. Michael, which contains some portions 
of building older than any extant in the mother Church. It con- 
sists of a nave with clere story and aisles, a chancel, a south porch, 
and a tower and spire at the west end. The nave is 41 feet 3 inches 
long, and 12 feet 5 inches wide: the north aisle is 8 feet 2 inches 
wide, and the south aisle 9 feet 7 inches; and the whole breadth of 
nave and aisles, including the piers, is 35 feet 2 inches. The 
chancel, including the rood arch, is 28 feet 4 inches long, and 16 
feet 2 inches wide. The whole length, with the space under the 
tower, is 82 feet 7 inches. The nave is late Norman, having a 
range of piers and circular arches with billet moulding on the north 
side, and a range of pointed arches on the south side, supported on 
Norman piers. The rest of the Church is late perpendicular with 
square-headed windows, the chancel window at the east end being 
the only one that has an arch. There is a good piscina and a 
priest’s door in the south wall of the chancel. The tower and 
spire are admirably proportioned, and rise to the height of about 
70 feet. The Church has been very well restored during the last 
few years, and, in particular, the very beautiful Perpendicular roof 
over the north aisle has been thoroughly repaired. In or before 
the year 1405 the now Church at Little Bedwyn, with an area of 


272 Great Bedwyn. 


4234 acres, taken out of Great Bedwyn, was erected into a distinct 
vicarage, and endowed with a portion of the tythes of the prebend. 
The patronage is in the Marquis of Ailesbury, and the present in- 
cumbent is the Rev. Francis Henchman Buckerfield, M.A., who 
was instituted in a.p. 1843. 5. The remains of the fifth Chapel, 
recently discovered at Marten, will be described presently. 

Besides the town of Great Bedwyn, there are, within its ecclesi- 
astical charge, the hamlets of Crofton, Stock, Bedwyn-common, 
Brail, and Harden. In East Grafton District, there are East and 
West Grafton, Wilton, Marten, Wexcombe, Kinwardstone, Sudden, 
Freewarren, and Wolfhall, with the Laundry. In the parish of 
Little Bedwyn, are the village of Little Bedwyn, and the hamlets 
of Chisbury, Knowl, Puthall, Littleworth, and Timbridge. 

Several of these are mentioned in Domesday-book, and almost 
all in the early records of the country. Stoche was held in the 
Confessor’s time by Stremius, a name probably identical with Stur- 
mid, Sturmy, and Esturmy, which flourished in this parish for 
many centuries. Richard Sturmid held Haredone, and a hide in 
Graftone, in the Conqueror’s reign; Martone was held by Odolina, 
Tubertus, and Radulphus; Graftone was the lordship of Wilelmus 
de Ow, and under him was Hubert. Robert, son of Radulphus, 
held lands there; so did Radulphus de Halville, who also held 
Ulfela (Wolfhall). 

After this period, the Sturmys continued in their possessions 
here down to the death of Sir William Esturmy, in a.p. 1426, 
when they passed to the Seymours, as before stated. Many other 
families of distinction were proprietors of manors and estates in 
the parish. The De Hardenes had the manor of Hardene, till it 
went by an heiress to Sir Robert de Bilkemore. Matthew de Co- 
lumbariis died in a.p. 1269 possessed of Chisbury. Thomas de 
Seymour died seised of Chisbury in a.p. 1858, and it was soon 
after possessed by the Cobhams. On the death, in a.p. 1407, of 
John de Cobham, second Baron Cobham, his grand-daughter and 
sole heir, Joane de la Pole, succeeded to his estates. She was then 
the wife of Sir Nicholas Hawberke, having previously been married, 
first to Sir Robert Hemenghale, and, secondly, to Sir Reginald 


Prallard del 


Xev. gd 


CHitp 


AND 


BLESSED VIRGIN 


MARTEN , 


THE 


IvORY OF 


IN 


CARVING 


WILT S 


FOUND fT 


Kev. G, Stallard, del. 


aie, Hike, anasls 


BEAD, AND FRAGMENTS OF STAINED GLASS, FOUND ON THE SITE OF THE CHAPEL OF ST MARTIN 


JT MARTEN, WILTS. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. . #208 


Braybroke. After Sir Nicholas Hawberke’s death, she married 
Sir John Oldcastle, Knt., the celebrated leader of the Lollards. 
He was summoned to parliament as Baron Cobham, in right of his 
wife. He died a.p. 1417; and she married, fifthly, Sir John 
Harpenden. She died in a.p. 1433, when her possessions devolved 
upon her only child, Joane, by Sir Reginald Braybroke. This 
Joane, espoused Sir Thomas Brooke, who became fourth Baron 
Cobham in her right. The barony became extinct in this family, 
on the death of Henry Brooke, ninth baron, in a.p. 1619; but 
Chisbury had been previously sold to a Mr. Read, whose successor, 
Edward Read, Esq., resold it in a.p. 1602 to the Earl of Hertford. 

The De Braboefs, and afterwards the Fitzwarrens, possessed the 
manor of Crofton. It came into possession of the Seymours through 
Ann, first Duchess of Somerset, and grand-daughter of Fulke, Lord 
Fitzwarine. 

Stokke manor belonged to the De Stokkes, but was carried by 
Geva, widow of Sir Adam de Stokke, who afterwards married 
Robert de Hungerford, into the family of her second husband. It 
was afterwards an estate of the Earl Verney, who sold it to the 
late Earl of Ailesbury in a.p. 1766. 

The De Bohuns, Earls of Hereford and Essex, had lands in 
Grafton; and the De Clares had the manor of Wexcombe, as well as 
of Bedwyn, also lands in Wilton, Puthall, and Kast Bedwyn. The 
Seymours were at Knowl a century before they inherited the Es- 
turmy estates. 

_ Of the manor of Marten, it is very difficult to trace the descent, 
on account of the name being confused in ancient documents with 
another manor of Marten, in a different part of the county. In 
A.D. 1278, it belonged to Paganus de Cadurcis, and is called Mar- 
thorne. This seems to be the only notice that can be safely identi- 
fied with the Marten in Bedwyn. The foundations ofa chapel were 
discovered here in November, 1858, by Mr. Henry Selfe in a mea- 
dow opposite to the Manor-house, and close to a remarkable moated 
inclosure. The internal dimensions were 47 feet long by 19 feet 
6 inches wide. It was a simple parallelogram like the East Graf- 
ton Chapel, but it differed in the position of the buttresses; having 


274 Great Bedwyn. 


had a diagonal one at each angle, with two intermediate ones on 
the north and south walls. The masonry was composed of flint 
and green sand stone, four feet thick, with freestone quoins, and 
the only piece of carved stone that was met with was a portion of 
a saddle-stone of one of the gables. Foundations, 2 feet 9 inches 
thick, the object of which it is not easy to divine, were found both 
within and without the chapel at its west end. Within its area, 
were also found portions of stained glass with its lead work at- 
tached, coarse pottery, some of it decidedly Roman, stone roofing 
tiles, Roman coins, (one of Constantine,) a blue glass bead, either 
Roman or Early British, &c., (all in Mr. Selfe’s possession,) which 
were exhibited in the Society’s temporary Museum in Marlborough. 
There was likewise exhibited a piece of ivory, 10 inches high by 
4 inches at the base, gracefully carved to represent the Blessed 
Virgin and Child, which probably belonged to this chapel; and is 
in the possession of Mr. Bartlett of Burbage. It was found by him 
a few years ago, used as a plaything by some children who had 
tied a piece of string round the neck of the principal figure, and 
were dragging it after them in a lane in Marten. There isascrew 
hole in the top of the head by which perhaps a golden aureole was 
fixed, another hole in the back, and two similar holes in the base. 

The painted glass clearly belonged to the Decorated period. 
Several pieces bore armorial bearings, all of them alike, viz. Per 
pale Sable and Argent, a cross moline, counterchanged. There may 
be some doubt as to the exact colours, for the glass is much decom- 
posed and almost impervious to light; but the above appear to 
have been the original colours. If so, the chapel was probably 
connected in some way, either by benefaction or by erection, with 
the Malwyne family, one of whom, John Malwyne, it is said, held 
lands at West Grafton in the 44th year of Edward III. (See Gent. 
Mag., vol, iii. n.s. p. 591.) 

In the present day, Marten belongs to the representatives of the 
late Admiral Fanshawe; Wexcombe to the heir of the late Joseph 
Tanner, Esq.; an estate in Wilton to the Dean and Chapter of 
Salisbury ; another in Little Bedwyn was sold in 1858 by Sir 
William Curtis, Bart., to Mr. Bevan, the owner of the Fosbury 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 275 


property ; and the rest of the two parishes, with the exception of 
some small quantities, to the Marquis of Ailesbury. 

The population of Great Bedwyn, with its hamlets, is now 1153 

by of the District of East Grafton .. py LOAD 

re of the parish of Little Bedwyn .. 2 <<GO 


We now proceed to a description of the Church at Great Bedwyn. 

The Ground Plan, with an orientation of five degrees to the 
south, remains very nearly the same as it was five hundred years 
ago, the only addition being a staircase turret to the tower at its 
north-east angle. It consists of a nave with aisles, a transept, and 
a chancel: fromthe large piers, at the intersection of the nave and 
transept, rises the tower, to the height of 60 feet: its square, out- 
side, is 26 feet north and south, and 25 feet east and west. 

The Exterior. The west front of this Church was rebuilt in the 
year 1848, in consequence of the ruined condition of the former 
wall. Very little alteration was introduced, except a new door- 
way in the north aisle, an enlargement of the principal door, 
(which has since been removed and a new one inserted), and a 
reduction of the excessive height of the centre window. This 


window is of three lights, with tracery in the head, which at first 


sight appears to be Decorated, but it is really Perpendicular, with 
dripstone and corbel terminations of the same character. There is: 
a Decorated west window to the south aisle, and to the north a 
similar window was inserted, in place of the small doorway, above 
mentioned, in 1854. On pulling down the west front, it was dis- 
covered that the buttresses had been built of ancient stone coffins, 
cut into lengths and the hollows filled with flints and mortar. As 
many as eight or ten coffins had been thus used. <A small part of 
a lid was also found, on which was cut a large cross pattée within 
a circle, conjectured to be the symbol indicating the deceased to 
have been a Knight Templar. This, with two other sculptured 
stones, found in the old wall, were built into the new front, and 
exposed to view. The old buttress stones were also used again. 
The aisles of the nave were formerly much lower than they are 
at present, and the clere story of the nave is altogether an addition, 


276 Great Bedwyn. 


as is evident both within and without; and in fact the original 
covering of this part of the Church was what is called a compass 
roof, which stretched across both nave and aisles in one sweep. 
The present aisles are roofed up to the base of the clere story, 
which in 1854 was reduced in height: the north aisle and the 
clere story were, till very lately, the most recent portions of the 
Church, exhibiting nothing peculiar or interesting in their archi- 
tecture; and the south aisle is Decorated. The north porch [now 
removed | was a curious structure of Perpendicular woodwork, and 
was probably composed of materials from the ancient rood loft. It 
rested on a base of brick walling. In the spandrels of the arch 
were carved the badges of the Seymour and Hungerford families. 

To the north west of the nave, stands the ancient churchyard 
cross, in tolerable condition: the style is Decorated, and on the 
south face of the octangular stem is a shallow niche, containing a 
time worn sculpture of the Virgin. The top is a modern stone set 
up for the purpose of a sun-dial, but the gnomons are gone. 

From the South-east are seen the beautiful proportions of the 
chancel, transept, and tower; the whole of which must have been 
erected early in the fourteenth century. The chancel is a few 
years older than the transept, and the transept preceded the tower 
by a few more. The date of the transept is ascertained to within 
a very few years, as it was built by Sir Adam de Stokke, who died 
in early manhood in the year 1818. 

The north and south transepts are very nearly uniform in struc- 
ture and decoration ; the unique window on the south face is re- 
peated on the north, and all the smaller windows, exactly similar 
to each other, are very elegant. They consist of two lights, tre- 
foiled in the head, with a cinquefoil (each foil trefoiled) between 
them; the whole enclosed in a drop arch, having a hood moulding, 
terminated with grotesque heads. The north and south windows 
are not so elegant, but much more elaborate; they are of three 
lights, cinquefoiled in the head; above the two outer lights is a 
sixfoil, having the upper and two lower points ogeed, and the 
other three round, forming altogether a triangular figure; between 
these is a magnificent eightfoil, set diamond-wise, in the head of | 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 277 


the window, the foils being alternately round and ogeed. The 
whole is inclosed in an arch slightly ogeed, covered with a hood 
moulding, supported by heads of unknown animals, and crowned 
with an elegant finial.. 

At each angle of the transept are two buttresses set square ; they 
are of great strength, have a deep overhanging projection all round 
at nearly half their height, and are terminated by gable heads. 
The transept is constructed of flint-work, with stone dressings ; and 
the former is, perhaps, as excellent a specimen of that mode of 
building as can be found in this district of flint-work. 

It was clearly the original intention of the architect or builder to 
make the walls (of the north transept at least,) of work chequered 
with alternate squares of stone and flint; but the plan was, for 
some reason, soon abandoned. 

During the restoration of the church in 1854-5 under the super- 
intendance of T. H. Wyatt, Esq., it was found necessary to repair 
the transept buttresses, and in doing this, portions of stone coffins, 
and coffin lids of Early English character were found. It is evident 
therefore that a great destruction of ancient sepulchral memorials 
must have taken place here during the Decorated period. 

The chancel is supported by buttresses all round, has a priest’s 
door in the south wall, and ten side windows, each being a narrow 
slit, with decorated jamb mouldings, and trefoiled heads; the two 
next the tower have low openings under a transom. The original 
east window (now replaced by a new one) which was of three 
lights, was subsequently rebuilt and altered. The centre light, had 
a foliated head, similar to the two side lights. 'The hood moulding 
was the simple decorated roll, with projecting corbel heads, like 
gurgoyles, for terminations. All the roofs of the church which had 
been lowered, were renewed in 1853-4, and made to follow the 
original pitch, traces of which were clearly marked on the tower. 

The tower is decorated up to the parapet, but this feature is a 
pierced embattlement of light Perpendicular. The string course or 
cornice under this parapet is singular, being frequently interrupted 
by small square embattled openings, to let off the water from the 
tower roof. There is a window of two lights, with a quatrefoil in 


Ss 


278 Great Bedwyn. 


the head, on each face of the tower; and on the north and east 

sides there is a small opening which gives light and air to the ring- 

ing-floor. The staircase turret is modern, having been built in 

1840. The tower contains an harmonious peal of six heavy bells. 
Their inscriptions are as follows :— 


1. 2. 3. Henry Knight of Reading made mee 1671. 
4. William Burd, Robert Wells, C. W. 1671. H. K,. 
5. Edward Brunsden, John Shadwell, Churchwardens, 1656. WgPgNgB. 


6. In the Lord doo I trust. I. W: D. 1628. 

Priest’s Bell: —‘‘ John Corr. B. F. 1741.” 

The 5th and 6th were cast in Salisbury ; the former, by William 
Purdue and Nathaniel Bolter, is the best bell in the tower; the 
latter by John Wallis and John Dauton, weighs about 28 cwt. 

The priest’s bell was cast at Aldbourne by John Corr bell founder. 
The bells were entirely new hung with new frame work, stocks, 
wheels, &c., in 1855, and some of them turned one quarter round. 

The Interior. The oldest portions of the church are the piers 
and arches of the nave. The style is Transition Norman, but it is 
combined with so much Early English ornament, that it cannot be 
dated earlier than the reign of Richard I. 

There are three round piers and two responds on each side, 
between the tower piers and the west end; the base mouldings of 
these piers are decidedly of Early English character, and there are 
foot ornaments of that style on the angles of the plinth. The capi- 
tals rise from a round fillet ; and a profusion of Norman and Early 
English ornament fills the space between the fillet and the abacus 
above, which is square. Lach capital has different ornaments, and 
in only one instance does the same pattern run round every side. 
The foliage of the second or middle capital on the south side is al- 
together Early English, having three heads, also of that character, 
mixed with the foliage, on the face next to the nave; this is the 
richest capital of the whole, and has been the least injured. The 
arches springing from these piers and capitals are pointed, and are 
what are called drop arches. The archivolt is recessed and cham- 
fered; the recess on the nave side being filled with a zigzag or 
chevron moulding, surmounted by a hollow label, billetted. A 
niche, containing a figure of the Virgin, carved in stone, and highly 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 279 


ornamented with gold and colour, still exists in the centre of the 
half-pier, or north respond, next the tower; it is, however, much 
mutilated. The effect of this vista, with its piers, capitals, and 
arches, is very fine, now that the roof has been carried up to its 
original pitch. 

The piers which support the tower have plain, square, recessed 
mouldings, chamfered at the edges, and carried up to the points of 
the arches without interruption. These arches have a label or hood 
moulding on both faces, supported by heads. 

The screen under the chancel arch is of oak, in the Perpendicu- 
lar style. On each side the centre opening are two bays consisting 
each of three arches, cinquefoiled in the head: over these, and 
over the entrance, is a series of pierced cinquefoils, the whole 
surmounted by an embattled cornice. 

The transepts are nearly similar. In the north are some excel- 
lent Decorated corbel heads of bishops and kings supporting the 
roof. 

Under the south window of the south transept are two Decorated 
arched recesses, one of which contains a stone figure of Sir Adam 
de Stokke, encased almost entirely in chain mail (the knees only 
being covered with plate); the legs are crossed, and the feet rest 
on the figure of a lion; the hands grasp the sword hilt and scab- 
bard, and on the left arm is a shield bearing the ensigns of De 
Stokke. The head, which is covered with a cap of chain mail, 
rests on two pillows, one set square, and the other diagonally upon 
it. There are evident traces of this effigy having been painted, 
and the colours on the shield may be made out. De Stokke bore, 
Argent, five bars Gules, over all a bend charged with three escal- 
lops of the field, between six martlets Sable. In the other recess 
is a broken slab of Purbeck marble, on which are still evident the 
indent of a brass cross, and an inscription to the memory of Sir 
Roger de Stokke, supposed to be the son of Sir Adam. 

Over Sir Adam’s tomb is a good but curious Decorated piscina, 
the drain supported by a head, being close to the angle of the 
transept walls, and the crocketted canopy, with a stone shelf, not 
over it, but at some little distance. It has a handsome finial. 


“er 


280 Great Bedwyn. 


The walls of the transept were originally covered with curious 
drawings, which were with some pains satisfactorily exposed to 
view in A.D. 1842: they were undoubtedly coeval with the finish- 
ing of this part of the church. In the north transept were large 
figures of saints, bishops, and knights; and in the south, several 
histories of saintly personages, and of the Redemption. On the 
east wall, over a space where formerly stood an altar, was a row of 
ten or twelve saints of small size, all of them very indistinct. 
These drawings were executed in red and yellow ochre, with dark 
outlines, and some of them had been gilt, but, becoming faded by 
a fresh exposure of eight years, they have been again hidden from 
view by a coat of stone colour. One of the consecration crosses, 
also in red ochre, was drawn on the west wall of the transept near ; 
the south end. 

The large window of the south transept has been filled with 
good stained glass. The subjects were designed by G. E. Street, 
F.S.A., architect, and executed by Mr. Hardman of Birmingham. 
This painted window was presented by the sons of the late Rear 
Admiral Sir Thomas Fellowes, Kt., C.B., D.C.L., &c., in memory 
of their father, and for the glory of God. The large opening 
in the head contains a half figure of our glorified Saviour, with 
His right hand raised in the act of blessing, and the Book of 
the Testament in His left. The artist has succeeded in throwing 
a great amount of dignity into this figure, and by a judicious ap- 
plication of white glass in the eight points of the star-like opening 
has conveyed the idea of rays of light issuing from the Lord of 
Glory. In the centre light is a medallion containing a representa- 
tion of the descent from the Cross; in that on the right is the 
Entombment, and in that on the left, our Lord in the garden with 
Mary Magdalene, after His Resurrection. There is great harmony 
of colouring throughout, and a freshness and brilliancy which are 
very striking. Asa work of art the window is of a superior order, 
and has been executed with great care. ' 

The interior of the chancel is very good and imposing. As be- 
fore stated, there are ten narrow slits, one of which is blocked up 
by the staircase turret on the outside, the others have been recently 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 281 


filled with stained quarry glass, with ornamented borders, which 
subdues the light, and gives much warmth of tone to this part of 
the church. The east window has plain glass, which should be 
replaced by a good painting. 

There is a very fine Decorated piscina in the south wall of the 
chancel, having an eightfoiled drain supported by a corbel of foli- 
age; the niche is trefoiled under a very rich ogeed canopy, with 
crockets, a finial, and head terminations to the drip. The shelf, 
which was of wood, is gone. 

In 1858 a new altar, designed by Mr. Street, was made with the 
wood of a yew tree which was cut down in the churchyard in the 
year 1840. At the same time a new altar cloth and hangings were 
supplied. The superfrontal is of the best crimson silk velvet, and 


the frontal of green silk velvet of the same quality, both richly 


embroidered by Messrs. Jones and Willis, in coloured silks, in pat- 
terns of alternate roses and lilies growing out of vases, under ogee- 
headed canopies. The dossel is of the richest satin damask, bearing 
patterns of lilies, suspended from a brass rod running under the 
window sill. 

There is an Elizabethan monument to the memory of Sir John 
Seymour, father of Queen Jane Seymour and of the Protector, 
Duke of Somerset. Sir John died at the age of sixty years, on the 
21st day of December, 1536, and was originally buried in the 
Priory Church of the Holy Trinity at Easton Royal in this county ; 
but that Church having become totally ruined, his body was re- 
moved to Bedwyn in the year 1590. In the following year, the 
Seymours built the present parish Church at Easton, but not on 
the site of the former Priory. The following is the inscription :— 


“Here lyeth intombed the worthie St John Seymovr 

of Wolphall Knight: who by Margerie his Wyfe, 
Davghter of 5" Henry Wentworthe, Knight, from whome 
the nowe Lorde Wentworthe is discended, had Six 
Sonnes and Fower Dayghters: To wete, John, who 

dyed ynmarryed. Edward, Dyke of Somerset. 

Earl of Hertforde, Viscovnt Beavechampe and 

Baron Seymovr, Uncle to Kinge Edwarde the Sixt, 
Governor of his Royale Person, Protector of all his 
Dominions and Sybjects, Lorde Tresorer and Karle 
Marshall of Englande; w° Dyke maryed Anne, Davghter 


282 Great Bedwyn. 


of S Edwarde Stanhope, Knight,* by Elizabeth his Wyfe, 

Davyghter of St Fovlke Byrgchier, Lorde Fitzwaryn, 

from whome the moderne Earles of Bath are discended. 

S Henry Seymoyr, Knight, who maried Barbara, Davghter 

of Thomas Morgan, Esqvier.+ Thomas, Lorde Seymovr of 

Sydeley, Highe Admirall of Englande, who maryed 

Katherine, Qveene of Englande, and Wydow to Kinge 

Henry the Eight. One other Jhon and Anthony, who 

dyed in theire Infancy. Jane Qveene of Englande, Wyfe 

to Kynge Henry the Eight, and Mother to Kynge 

Edwarde the Sixt. Elizabeth, firste maryed to S" Henry 

Vehtred, Knight, after to Gregorie, Lorde Cromwell, 

and last to Jhon, Lord Sainct John of Basinge, after 

Marqvesse of Winchester. Margerie, who dyed in 

her Infancy, and Dorothe, maryed to S* Clement 

Smythe, Knight. ° 
‘This Knight departed this Lyfe at LX yeares of age, 

the XXI day of December, Anno 1536, and was fyrste 

byryed at Eston Priorie Chyrch, amongst divers of 

his Avncestors, bothe Seymovrs and Stvrmyes; Howbeit 

that Chvrch being rvined, and thereby all theire 

Monymentes either whollie spoyled, or verie mych defased 

dyring the Mynoritie of Edwarde, Earle of Hertforde, Sonne 

to the said Dvke, The said Earle after, as well for the 

dytifvl Love he beareth to his said Grandefather, as 

for the better Contynvans of his Memory, did cavse 

his Bodie to be removed, and here to be intombed at 

his own Coste and Chardge, the laste daye of September, 

Anno 1590, in the XXXII year of the most happye Raigne 

of ovr gratiovs Soveraigne Ladie, Qveene Elizabeth.” 


In the year 1829, the three shields on the upper part of the monu- 
ment were still in existence; two of them were broken, but the 


* Nothing is said of the Duke’s first marriage to Catharine dau. and coheir of Sir William Fillo] of 
Fillol Hall, co. Essex, and of Woodlands, co. Dorset, knt. by whom he had two sons; 1. John, who 
died without issue in 1552 and was buried at the Savoy Hospital on the 19th Dec., and 2. Sir Edward 
of Biry Pomeroy, co. Devon, and of Maiden Bradley, co. Wilts, knighted at Musselburgh, 10 Sept. 
1547, when he was only 18 years of age. From this Sir Edward descend in an unbroken line the 
direct ancestors of the later Dukes of Somerset, a descent strangely contrasted with the complicated 
succession of the Protector’s second family, to whom, as well as to his brothers and their heirs, Anne 
Stanhope had managed to secure, by a special entail, the honours of her husband; yet in failure of 
her male issue and that of his brothers, with remainder to his isstie male by his first wife Catharine 
Fillol. This singular entail died out in the year 1750, when the Dukedom passed to the elder line, 
and Sir Edward Seymour sixth in descent from the above Sir Edward, became the eighth Duke of 
Somerset. 

+ This statement is at variance with the records of the family preserved in the College of Arms and 
also with the impalement with Sir Henry’s Arms, placed over this inscription; by which evidences 
it would appear that he married Barbara daughter of Morgan Wolfe by Gwenllian daughter and heir 
of John de Barri. Morgan Wolfe was the son of Howell Wolfe, the son-of John Wolfe, Esq., the son 
of Sir William Wolfe, knt., by the daughter and coheir of Sir Mauger Le Sore of St, Fagans, co. 
Glamorgan. Both Sir Henry and his Lady died in the year 1578, or about twelve years before the 
erection of this Monument, 


id lis 


LZ 
en 


Bist 


po 
=H 


ie 
5 wh a 
beans hy 


A 
ule sign 
ANI : nl 


eNOS 
) eb ! cS Bp ; 


Toms oF Sir JoHn Seymour, KnT 
IN GREAT BEOWYN CHRON. 


Lhe arms restored trom Aubre ey's sketch, circa A.D. 1672; and the shields arranged: 
in the order set down im hus MS. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 283 


fragments had been preserved by the care of the parish clerk, and 
were readily put together and secured in a bed of plaster of Paris. 
In the same year fac-similes of them were made in Bath stone by 
a clever sculptor at Oxford, and fixed in their respective places on 
the monument. 

The shield on the dexter side of the inscription, the only one 
that remained but little injured, is that of Sir John Seymour, viz. ; 
Gules, two wings conjoined and inverted Or, impaling Sable, a 
chevron between three leopard’s faces Or for Wentworth. 

One half of the shield over the inscription had been broken off ; 
it bore the ensigns of Sir Henry Seymour, K.B. viz. Seymour, with 
a,crescent Gules for difference, impaling Quarterly, 1. Argent, a 
fess between three martlets Gules, on a chief Sable, three wolf’s 
heads erased Argent, for Wolfe of Gwerngotheyn; 2. Per pale 
Sable and Azure, three fleurs de lis Or, for Wolfe Newton; 3. Or, 
three wolves passant Azure, for Nanfant; 4. Argent, on a chevron 
Gules, between three stag’s heads caboshed Sable, three bugle 
horns Argent, stringed Or, for Le Sore of St. Fagans. It is diffi- 
cult to conjecture why this shield was fixed in so conspicuous a 
position on the monument, for Sir Henry was perhaps the least 
distinguished of the whole family. 

On the sinister side of the inscription the arms are those of Sey- 
mour quartering the heiresses, with whom the family had previously 
intermarried, viz., Quarterly of six—l. and 6. Seymour; 2. Vaire, 
for Beauchamp of Hache; 3. Argent, three demi-lions couped 
Gules, for Esturmy; 4. Per bend, Argent and Gules, three roses 
in bend counterchanged, for Macwilliams; 5. Argent, on a bend 
Gules, three leopard’s faces Or, for Coker. 

The six shields on the face of the tomb, which were smaller than 
those above, having in the year above mentioned entirely disap- 
peared, the spaces were filled up with newly sculptured bearings 
representing, 1. Seymour; 2. Beauchamp of Hache; 3. De Forti- 
bus, (through Beauchamp,) viz. Argent, on a chief Gules, a label of 
five points Or; 4. Esturmy; 5. Macwilliams; 6. Coker. 

These are the arms now on the face of the tomb, but it has been 
recently ascertained from Aubrey’s MS. so frequently quoted in 
this Magazine by its indefatigable Editor, that of these six spaces 


284 Great Bedwyn. 


five were originally filled with the bearings of Sir John Seymour’s 

children. 

The five as described by Aubrey, who visited the Church in or 
about the year 1672, were as follows :— 

I.—France and England (Hen. VIII.) impaling Quarterly, 1. and 
4. Or, on a pile Gules, between six fleurs de lis Azure, three 
lions of England, being the coat of augmentation granted by 
Hen. VIII. to the Seymours on his marriage with Queen Jane; 
2. and 3. The original Seymour coat as before. 

II.—Seymour (old) as before, for the Duke of Somerset, impaling 
Quarterly, 1. Quarterly, Ermine and Gules, for Stanhope; 2. 
Azure, three talbots courant in pale Or; 3. Sable, a bend be- 
tween six crosses croslet Argent, for Stanhope (old) ; 4. Argent, 
three saltires engrailed Sable. 

III.—Seymour, original coat, for Sir Thomas Seymour, Baron Sey- 
mour of Sudeley, impaling, Quarterly, 1. Argent, on a pile be- 
tween six roses Gules, three others of the Field, being a Royal 
augmentation; 2. Argent, two bars Azure, a bordure engrailed 
Sable, for Parr; 3. Or, three water bougets Sable, for Roos of 
Kendal; 4. Azure, three chevronels interlaced in base, a chief 
Or, for Fitzhugh. For Queen Katharine Parr. 

IV.—Quarterly per fess indented, Azure and Or, four lions passant 
counterchanged, for Gregory, Lord Cromwell, impaling the ori- 
ginal arms of Seymour. ; 

V.—Argent, a cross Gules, between four peacocks erect Azure, for 
Sir Clement Smyth, impaling Seymour as in the last coat. 

The sixth shield was wanting in Aubrey’s time, and it is im- 
possible to conjecture with any degree of probability, whose coat 
filled the vacant space, or whether it were ever filled at all. The 
arms of ai/ Sir John’s children, who grew up and lived to be mar- 
ried, are quoted by the Antiquary. Possibly the Earl of Hertford, 
who erected the monument, may have added his own arms, or the 
coat of Seymour impaling the six quarterings of Wentworth. 

There is also a brass to the memory of Sir John’s eldest son and 
heir, John Seymour, who died unmarried a.p-1510. This was pro- 
bably removed from Easton to Bedwyn at thesame time. Near 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 285 


to this is a Latin inscription on a brass plate to the memory of 
Edward, Lord Beauchamp, eldest son of Edward, Earl of Hertford, 
by Lady Catherine Grey: he‘was buried on the 21st of July, 1612. 
The inscription runs thus :— 
‘‘Bellocampus eram, Graia genetrice Semerus, 
Tres habui natos, est quibus una soror.” 

Near to Sir John Seymour’s monument is another of marble, com- 
memorating the decease of Frances, daughter of Robert Devereux, 
Earl of Essex, and widow of William, second Duke of Somerset. 
For other inscriptions in the Church, also for a very interesting 
collection of extracts from the Registers of the parish, the reader 
is referred to Nichols’s Collectanea Topographica et Genealogica, 
vol. v. p. 20. 

Tn 1854, when the eastern portion of the chancel was excavated 
for the purpose of making a vault for Lord Ailesbury’s family, 
several of the graves of these noble personages were found. The 
Elizabethan monument, above mentioned, was taken down and re- 
erected, but no coffin was discovered beneath or very near to it. 
A remarkable leaden coffin was however met with about 5 feet in 
front of the marble monument of Frances, Duchess of Somerset, 
which most probably contained the body of Queen Jane’s father. 
It was of a plain form, and of heavy lead, the head end being 
somewhat wider than the foot. Upon the top eight strong iron 
handles had been soldered, probably for the convenience of lifting 
and conveying it from Easton. No traces of wood were observed 
surrounding it, and it appeared to have been disturbed at an early pe- 
riod ; for a small hole about three inches square had been cut out 
above the breast of the deceased. No grave or coffin was found 
beneath the slab of John Seymour, which together with the brass 
inscription to Edward Lord Beauchamp, has been placed against 
the north wall of the chancel. 

The brick grave of Frances Duchess of Somerset was at some 
distance from her monument and in the north-east angle of the 
chancel, the foot of it coming close up to the east wall. It con- 
tained a leaden coffin of large dimensions, and also a drum-shaped 
cylinder of lead, about eighteen inches high, in which her heart 


286 Great Bedwyn. 


&c., inclosed in a cloth, were preserved in liquid. The oak 
coffin had perished, but some of its fawn-coloured velvet lining re- 
mained in a sound state, as well as silver-plated coffin handles and 
nails, and a brass plate with this inscription :— 


“The most noble Lady Frances Devereux Dutchess of Somersett, wife to 
William Duke of Somersett and daughter to Robert Earle of Essex, aged 74 
yeares and 6 months, dyed Aprell y* 24, 1674.” 


The Parish Register thus briefly records her burial :— 
“1674 Frances Dutches of Som’sett was buried May the 7.” 


In her youth when, as Countess of Hertford, she lived at Ames- 
bury, she presented a bell to that church, the 5th of the present 
peal, on which is inscribed 


‘Be strong in faythe prayes God well 
Frances Countess of Hertford’s bell.” 


Her noble ‘husband’s grave was found at a short distance from 
hers. He was created Marquis of Hertford in the year 1640, 
restored to the Dukedom of Somerset and Barony of Seymour in 
1660, and died in the same year aged 74. On his coffin plate is the 
following inscription :— 


“Depositum nobilissimi et illustrissimi Principis Gullielmi Somersetize Ducis, 
Hertfordiz Marchionis et Comitis, Baronis Beauchamp, Oxoniensis Academic 
Cancellarii, Carolo beate memorize nuper Regi, serenissimoque nune Carolo se- 
cundo a cubiculis et secretioribus consiliis, nobilissimi ordinis Garterii militis, 
necnon Somersetie et Wiltonie comitatuum, et Bristolliz civitatis, locum ten- 
entis, qui obiit vicesimo quarto die Octobris, A. Domini MDCLX° et Attatis 
sue LXXIITI.” 


The entry of the burial in the Parish Register is:— 


‘‘William Semor Duke of Somerset late Marquis of Hartforde was buried on 
the feast of all Saints at night, being the first day of Nov’ber in the yeare of 
our Lord God 1660.” 


Their son Henry Lord Beauchamp, who died in his fathers life- 
time, aged 27, lay in front of Sir John Seymour’s monument. His 


1 Dugdale has the following memorandum in his diary:— 

“©1660 Oct, 31. I went out of London to Reading with y* Duke of Somer- 
set’s Body. 

“Noy. 1. «I came to Bedwinde (four miles beyond Hungerford) where we 
interred the sayd Duke of Somerset’s Body, and thence y* evening to 
Hungerford. : 

“‘Noy. 2. We came back to Reading. 

“Noy. 3. We came back again to London.” 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 287 


leaden coffin was of a curious form, not unusual at that period, and 
took the shape of his body, having the head moulded to his features. 
It was six feet six inches long, and sixteen inches wide across the 
shoulders. The breast part had been moulded into the shape of a 
coffin plate, fourteen inches long by ten inches and a half wide, 
and had this inscription in raised letters :— 


“The Lord Henary Beauchampe deyed the 14 day of March 1653, aged 27.’’ 
The Parish Register thus records the burial :— 


‘In the yeare of our Lord 1654 The right honerall lord henry Bechum who 
died at Tilsy, was buryed hear the 30 of March.” 

In this case it was observed that upon the inscription had been 
laid a bunch of rosemary and other flowers, the stems and seeds of 
which preserved their form. 

Lord Henry Beauchamp’s youthful son, who became third Duke 
of Somerset and died at the early age of 19, lay alongside. Rich 
crimson velvet had lined his coffin, and the brass plate bore the 
following :— 

“Depositum Nobilissimi and Illustrissimi Principis Gulielmi Somersett’ 
Ducis, Hertfordiz Marchionis et Comitis, Vicecomitis Beauchamp, Baronis de 
Sete Mauro, qui obiit.. XII... Die Decembris Anno Domini MDCLXXI, Atatis 
sue XIX.” ‘1671 Will. Lord Duke of Somerset was buried December 20*,’’ 
(Parish Register.) 

In 1612, Edward Lord Beauchamp; 1637 Lady Arabella Sey- 
mour;' 1658 Lady Katharine Wincheuse;? 1678 Francis Duke of 
Somerset; 1699 Frances Lady Downes,’ among other noble per- 
sonages, obtained their last resting places in this chancel. 

All the leaden coffins, which were met with, were carefully de- 
posited in Lord Ailesbury’s new yault, in graves immediately 


1The second Duke named this his first daughter, by Lady Frances Devereux, 
after his early love and stolen bride, Lady Arabella Stuart, by whom he had no 
children. 

2 This should have been Lady Katharine Finch, daughter of Heneage Earl of 
Winchelsea, by Lady Mary Seymour, daughter of the second Duke of Somerset 
by Lady Frances Devereux. 

* Frances, daughter of Sir Francis Seymour afterwards first Lord Sey- 
mour of Trowbridge. She married Sir William Ducie of Tortworth, Co. 
Gloucester, (created Viscount Down in Ireland,) became a widow in 1697 and 
died without issue in 1699, 


288 Great Bedwyn. 


beneath the spots where they had lain for so many years, and their 
coffin plates let into the pavement over them. 


The Registers have been well preserved, and date, Baptisms from 
1553, Marriages from 1539, and Burials from 1538. 

In the year 1620-21, is the following entry of Doctor Thomas 
Willis. 

“Thomas Wyllis the sonne of Thomas Wyllis and Rachel his Wyffe was bap- 
tysed the xiiij day of February anno predicto.” 

The next entry was erased in order that his grandson, the cele- 
brated antiquary, Browne Willis, might insert the following 
remark, : 

‘‘N.B. He was the most Famous Physitian in the World in his tyme & 
dying Nov. the 11th, 1675, in the 54th year of his age, was buryed in West- 
minster Abby.” 

Dr. Willis was born 27th Jan., 1621, in a house still standing, 
and bearing evidence of having been much more considerable than 
it is at present. He was sent to school at Oxford, and at an early 
age was admitted a battler of Christchurch, where he prosecuted 
his academical studies with a view to taking Holy Orders. He 
took the degree of B.A. 19th June, 1639, and of M.A. 18th June, 
1642; but being diverted from his purpose by the national troubles 
of that period, he applied himself to the study of physic, and took 
his Bachelor’s degree in that faculty, 8th Dec., 1646. He attached 
himself to the cause of the King, and bore arms in the garrison of 
Oxford until its surrender to the Parliament forces. His practice 
soon became famous at Oxford, both for its skill and success, in the 
midst of those distractions which rent the public affairs of this 
country. He married during this period, Mary, daughter of Dr. 
Samuel Fell, the ejected Dean of Christchurch, and sister to Dr. 
John Fell, afterwards Bishop of Oxford. In 1660 he was chosen 
Sedleian Professor of Natural Philosophy at Oxford, and on the 
30th of October in the same year took the degree of Doctor in 
Medicine. In 1666 he removed to London, and took a house in 
St. Martin’s Lane, Westminster, where he soon grew into the 
most extensive practice, and became one of the first members of 
the Royal Society, a Fellow of the College of Physicians, and 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 289 


Physician in Ordinary to King Charles II. He published many 
medical works, of which his treatise on the Anatomy of the Brain 
is the most celebrated, and highly valued in the present day. He 
was zealously attached to the Church, and constantly attended daily 
prayer even in the troublous times of the Revolution, when he 
established a private Chapel in his house at Oxford, and used the 
then proscribed Liturgy of the Church. In London he invariably 
attended early prayer at St. Martins’-in-the-Fields, and at his death 
left an endowment of £20 a year for the continuation of that ser- 
vice. He was extremely liberal to the poor, although frugal and 
self-denying in his own habits. He died of pleurisy on the 11th 
of Nov., 1675, his wife having predeceased him on the Vigil of All 
Saints, 1670. Both were buried in the north transept of West- 
minster Abbey, where there is an inscription to their memory. 
He left one son, Thomas, of Whaddon Hall and Bletchley in 
Buckinghamshire, father of the antiquary Browne Willis; and 
two daughters, Jane married to Robert Symonds, Esq., High She- 
riff for Herefordshire in the last year of William III.; and Rachel 
married to Roger Lingen, of Radhook in Gloucestershire, Esq. 
There is an admirable engraving of Dr, Willis, by Vertue. 

In Aubrey’s MS. description of the Northern Division of Wilt- 
shire, preserved in the Ashmolean Museum, and printed by Sir 
Thomas Phillipps, Bart., from which we have already given (p. 284) 
the minute account of the heraldry on Sir John Seymour’s monu- 
ment as it was in 1672, we also read of some stained glass then extant 
in the church, and also that the chancel was fitted up with stalls. 

In Gough’s Camden, (vol. i. p. 158) is given a strange engrav- 
ing of a figure on crutches, copied by Gough from Stukeley, and 
by him from Le Neve, who pretended to have found it described 
in some book in the Library at Holkham as the representation of 
a priest formerly in the east window of Great Bedwyn Church. 
As no such book can now be found at Holkham, as the dress is not 
sacerdotal, and the subject is utterly unsuitable to the east window 
of any church, it is considered that Le Neve, or his alleged author- 
ity, was altogether mistaken, and that the whole story may be 
safely rejected. 


290 Great Bedwyn. 


The communion plate belonging to this church consists of a 
paten, two chalices, not very ancient, a flagon, given in a.p. 1840 
by the Marquis of Ailesbury, and an offertory dish, parcel gilt, 
having in the centre a representation of the Adoration of the 
Magi, presented on Easter Day 1847 by the four eldest daughters 
of the then vicar. ; 

There have been made, at several periods, grants of land and 
money for the benefit of the poor in this parish, the most consider- 
able of which are Sir Anthony Hungerford’s charity of £10 an- 
nually, granted by deed, dated 24th August, 1604, to certain 
trustees and their heirs, to be paid for ever out of his lands at 
Eysey and Water Eaton, in North Wilts, for apprenticing two 
children yearly, which should be born in the borough of Great 
Bedwyn. This rent-charge being insufficient to procure good 
masters in the present day, one boy only has been annually appren- 
ticed for some time, and the premium raised to the whole sum of 
£10. 

Mr. John Bushell’s charity of ten shillings yearly, to be paid 
out of his free land in the parish of Great Bedwyn to the church- 
wardens, six days before each Christmas, to be distributed to the 
most honest poor widows of the town of Great Bedwyn. 

Mr. William Cox made a grant in a.p. 1799, of land situated in 
Frog Lane, to certain trustees, the rents and profits of which were 
to be applied after his death to the education of ten poor children 
of the parish of Great Bedwyn. Mr. Cox died in a.p. 1812, but 
the profits were not immediately available in consequence of dila- 
pidation on the premises, and other hindrances, but a school has 
been in operation for more than thirty years upon this foundation. 
In 1832, a conveyance was made by the surviving trustee under 
Mr. Cox’s deed of feoffment, to five new trustees, two of whom are 
now living. 

Mr. William Gale Pike, by will dated 30th March, 1839, be- 
queathed the sum of £100 to the poor of Great Bedwyn, and £50 
to the National Charity School. Mr. Pike died on the 25th of May 
following, and his executrix paid these bequests with interest, 
sometime afterwards, to the vicar and churchwardens, by whom 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 291 


they were placed in the Savings Bank at Marlborough, and the 
interest has been distributed ever since at Christmas. 

There is also a fabric fund belonging to the Church, arising from 
lands in the parish of Little Bedwyn, at present under lease to the 
Marquis of Ailesbury. The rent, £18 per annum, is received by 
the churchwardens, and applied by them to the repair and other 
uses of the Church. 

There is an excellent National School for boys and girls 
erected in A.D. 1835, and supported by annual gifts from the 
. Marquis of Ailesbury, and other beneficent contributors, in aid of 
the income derived from the small payments of the children. An- 
other school was established at East Grafton, after the building of 
the Church, which has been conducted on the most improved prin- 
ciples. And there is a third school in the parish, situated very 
romantically in the grounds at Tottenham Park, and entirely sup- 
ported by the Marchioness of Ailesbury. In these schools there is 
accommodation for more than 3800 children, in addition to which, 
an infant school has been lately established at Great Bedwyn. 

The Borough of Great Bedwyn is governed by a Portreeve, who 
is annually chosen at Michaelmas, at the Court Leet of the Lord 
of the Manor; and the Portreeve elects the bailiff, constable, and 
other officers for the ensuing year. 

The Corporation of Great Bedwyn possess a seal, on which the 
ancient Arms of the Borough are engraved, viz. Azure, a Tower 
domed Argent. The crest is a Griffin passant Or.! (See Plate.) 


II. Tue Representative History or Great Bepwyn. 


Bedwyn was one of the Wiltshire boroughs in King Edward the 
Confessor’s time, and when the Domesday Survey was taken, it had 
twenty-five burgesses. This is nearly all that is known of its position, 
as a borough, at that early period. The history of its representa- 
tion states, that it sent members to all the Parliaments of Edward 


1TIn preparing for the Society’s Magazine the foregoing account of Great 
Bedwyn Parish and Church, in which-various changes have taken place since 
his own incumbency, the writer of this Paper desires to acknowledge the kind 
assistance of the Rev. W. C. Lukis, his successor at Bedwyn, and now Rector 
of Collingbourne Ducis, 


292 Great Bedwyn. 


I., to the Parliaments of the Ist and 8th of Edward II. to those of 
the 36th and 387th of Edward III., and to the early Parliaments 
of Richard II. 

Except in the Ist of Henry IV. it sent no members after the 
10th of Richard II. until the 9th of Henry V., after which year 
it almost constantly returned representatives. 

The names of the members, previously to the reign of the first 
Mary, have not, however, been regularly handed down, but from 
that period, the list appears to be correct. 

The right of election was in the freeholders and inhabitants of 
ancient burgages, and the returning officer was the Portreeve of the 
borough. 

In the year 1762 the number of burgage houses had dwindled 
to 100; of these, 46 belonged to the Earl Verney, 42 to the Lord 
Bruce, 9 to the Church of Bedwyn, 1 to Benjamin Bond Hopkins, 
Esq., 1 to Mr. Thomas Potter, and 1 to Mr. Thomas Batten. 

In 1766, Lord Verney sold to Lord Bruce his estate at Great 
Bedwyn, including the manor of Stokke, the ancient property of 
the Stokkes, and afterwards of the Hungerfords. In 1787, Mr. 
Hopkins sold his burgage and other property to Lord Bruce, then 
Earl of Ailesbury, who soon afterwards purchased Mr. Potter’s 
burgage. In 1792, the Church burgages were made Lord Ailes- 
bury’s freehold by an exchange under the Bedwyn Inclosure Act: 
Batten’s burgage still remains in the representatives of that gen- 
tleman. 

By the Act of Parliament passed on the 7th June, 1832, 2 Gul. 
IV., for amending the Representation of the people of England and 
Wales, the borough of Great Bedwyn, with many others, was dis- 
franchised. 

In the following list, the names of the members down to the 
reign of Queen Mary, are taken from a manuscript, compiled, 
apparently about two centuries ago, from the Tower Records, and 
brought down to the third Parliament of Car. I. To this MS. are 
now added the dates of the Christian epoch. From Mary’s reign, 
Willis’s Notitia, Beatson’s Register, and other publications, have 
also been used. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 293 


Memsers oF ParLIAMENT FOR THE BoroucH oF GREAT BEpwyn. 


A.R. Epwarp I. A.D. 


23. Parlt. at Westr. Wm. Russel. John Faremer. 1294-5 
Will’us Russel 
Estbedewind maner’ extent’ ) Wilts. 
Knolle maner’ extent’ inter alia. 
Inq. p. mort. 4 Edw. II. 
30. Parlt. at Lond. Ralf le Em. Rob. le Palmere. 1801-2 


33.  ,, at Westr. Edw.le Irmanger. John le Irmanger 1304-5 


34. oy Do. Ralf le Eym. 1305-6 
35. », at Carlisle. Rob. le Palmere. John Stryg. 1306-7 
? Strug, a family near Heytesbury. 
Epw. II. 
1. Parlt. at Northt. Walter Seamour. Rob. le Palmere. 1307-8 
8. ,, at Westr. Gilbert de Capperugg. 
Will. le Ironmonger. 1314-5 
Epw. ITI. 
36. Parlt. at Westr. Will. Wyk. Nic. Hommedieux. 1362-3 
37. ra Do. John Hardene. Roger le Ferrour. 1363-4 
One of the Hardenes of Hardene in the parish of Bedwyn, 
who were bailiffs of the bailiwick in Savernake Forest 
called ‘‘The Broyle, or Bruell’, de Bedwynd.” Anas- 
tatia, heir of William de Haredene, married Sir Robert 
de Bilkemore, Knt., circa A.D. 1360. 
Ricuarp II. 
2. Parlt. The Bailiffs made no return. 1378-9 
3. » at Westr. John Coumb. Rich. Horlback. 1879-80 
6. ye Do. John Coumb. Tho. Smith. 1382-3 
rf t Do. Tho. Smith. Will. Plomer. 1383-4 
7 », at New Sarum Tho. Smith. Tho. Horlebat. 1383-4 
8 », at Westr. Will. Plomer. John Coumb. 1384-5 
9 * Do. Tho. Smith. Will. Plomere 1385-6 


10. y Do. John Coumb. Will. Bailifie. 1386-7 


Henry IV. 


1. Parlt. at Westr. Tho. Smith. Geffry Mansill. 1899-400 
T . 


294 Great Bedwyn. 


AUR: Henry V. ACD: 


9, Parlt. at Westr. Tho. Husee. Maurice Homedeux. 1421-2 


‘In the Tower Records are no other returns than these, Bedwyn 
sending Burgesses, only on compulsion seemingly, to some few 
Parliaments before the end of Hen. the 5's Reign. Few or 
none of the Wiltshire Boroughs sent regularly, except New 
Sarum, Wilton, Malmsbury & Marlbo.—Hindon, Heytesbury, 
Westbury, Wotton Basset, never sent at all till the 27 Hen. 6.” 


Henry VI. 


1, Parlt. at Westr. Rob. Erle. Tho. Stock. 1422-3 


One of the Stocks of Stock or Stokke Manor in Great 
Bedwyn. In 1431 Tho. Stokke conveyed to Sir Walter 
Hungerford and others, the Manor of Stoke and lands. 
elsewhere. (Close Rolls.) 


a ve Do. - Rich. Hardene. Hen. Chauncey. 1428-4 

4, ,», at Leicester. Rich. Hardene. Jeffry Pokam. 1425-6 

5. », at Westr. Walter Corp. Ralf Panter. 1426-7 

8. oe Do. Rich. Brigges. Tho. Tropenell. 1429-30 
Tropenell, of Great Chalfield nr. Bradford. 

9. + Do. John Sturmy. Rob. Colyngborne.1430-1 


Doubtless a scion of the Sturmy family, Wardens of Sa- 
vernake Forest. 


Lal + Do. John Bradley. Hen. Linby. 1432-3 
18. p Do. Will. Hall. Rich. Forbour. 1484-5 
14. A Do. Will. Hall. Rich. Forbour. 1485-6 
15. », at Camb. John Appulton. Rob. Walton. 1436-7 
20. ,, at Westr. Tho. Well. Will. Halle. 1441-2 
25. », at Camb. Tho. Sturgill. —Daniel or Damil.1446-7 
21: ,», at Westr. Tho. Well. Hen. Bottiler. 1448-9 
28. s Do. Tho. Wellys. Tho. Mallory. 1449-50 
29. BF Do. Will. Brigg. Tho. Nott. 1450-1 
31. __—,, at Reding. Tho. Umfrey. “+ Rich. Baron. 1452-3 
33. » at Westr. John Adderby. John...... 1454-5 
Epwarp [V. 


6. - Do. John Benger Rob. Sheffeld. 1466-7 
Joh’es Benger—Pro Priore de Eston, ad quod damnum. 


Stapulford, advoce’ eccl’ie, Wiltes?-—Inq. p. mort. Hen. 
VI. (diversis annis.) ‘ 


A.R. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 295 


A.D. 


12. Parlt. Westr. Tho. Strangewish. John Giffard. 1472-3 


17. 9 
Ss 
6. 
en 


Sir R. C. Hoare prints this name Gylford. 
Do. Will. Paston, Esq. Tho. Wareyn. 1477-8 


Epwarp VI. 
Do. Bao Soe Solaat NE tee 1547-8 
Do. Seine Fees da seed (kDUee 
‘The writts, indentures and returns are all lost through ‘ 


England from 17 Edw. 4. to 33 Henry 8, of which year 
and Edw. 6 parliam‘s the Wiltshire returns are want- 
ing.”—(John Hungerford, Esq. is said to have been 
member for Bedwyn in the last Parliament of Edward VI.) 


Mariz. 
Do. Rich. Fulmerston, Esq. John Hun- 


gerford, Esq. 1553-4 


Richard Fulmerston, afterwards knighted, sat for Thet- 
ford in the Parliament of 5 Eliz. He died 3 Feb. 1566, 
and in the Church of St. Mary, Thetford, is a monu- 
ment to his memory. He appears to have been a great 
benefactor to that town, in founding a school and hospi- 
tal, with endowment for masters and almspeople. (Topog. 
li, 395.) 

John Hungerford was eldest son of Anthony Hunger- 
ford, by Barbara dau. of Sir John Wriothesley, knt. aunt 
to Lord Southampton: which Anthony was second son 
of Sir Thomas Hungerford of Down Ampuey, by Christian 
Hall. Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, Lord 
Chancellor, by will, 1551, gives ‘‘to his coussin John 
Hungerford, besydes the legacye generallie given to his 
servants, 20%,” (Trevelyan Papers, Camd. Soc. 213.) 


1. » at Oxford. Edm. or Edw. Rowse, knt. Eich. 


Fulmerston, Esq. 1553-4 


Puimip anp Mary. 


1-2. ,, at Westr. Rich. Fulmerston, Esq. Edw. Hun- 


5 fh 


gerford, Esq. 1554-5 
Edward Hungerford, 3rd son of Sir Anthony Hungerford 
of Down Ampney by his first wife, Jane Darell, was of 
Weston, in Welford, co. Berks: he died in 1569. 
Do. Henry Clifford, Esq. David Seymer. 1555-6 
Henry Clifford of Boscombe, co. Wilts, who married 


2p 


296 


Great Bedwyn. 


A.D. 
Mary daughter of Sir John Hungerford of Down Amp- 


ney, sister to Mrs. Blagrave mentioned in a succeeding 
note. He was descended from the Cliffords ancestors of 
the Earls of Cumberland and of the Lords Clifford. 

David Seymour was arrested as one of the Duke of So- 
merset’s adherents in Oct. 1551, and on the 22nd Nov. 
was ‘‘prysoner in hys house,” as appears by the King’s 
journal, aud the register of the Privy Council, (Literary 
Remains of King Edw. VI.) His wife’s name was Mary, 
and he enjoyed two pensions or annuities, one of £6 13s. 
4d., the other of £75 (MS. Soc. Antiq. 209.) 


4.5. Parlt. Westr. John Temple, Gen. Geo. Eden, Gen. 1557-8 


13. 


14, 


27. 


od 


ELIZABETH. 


Do. Francis Newdigate,Esq. Henry Clifford.1558-9 


Francis, 5th son of John Newdigate Esq. of Harefield, co. 
Middlesex and of Arbury, co. Warwick, married Ann 
(Stanhope) relict of Edward, the Protector Duke of So- 
merset. He had been ‘‘Unus generosorum hostiariorum” 
to the Duke. 


Do. John Thynne, Knt. Stephen Hales, Esq. 1562-3 


John Thynne was secretary to the Duke of Somerset and 
was knighted by him. He built the noble mansion at 
Longleat, and died in 1580. He was lessee of the tythes 
of the prebend of Bedwyn. 


Do. Nicholas St. John, Esq. Thomas 
Blagrave, Esq. . 1570-1 


Nicholas St. John, son of John St. John, was of Lydiard 
Trezoz, co. Wilts, and ancestor of the Viscounts Boling- 
broke. 

Thomas Blagrave of Bulmarsh Court, near Sunning, co. 
Berks, married Anne, daughter of Sir Anthony Hunger- 
ford of Down Ampney. He was father of John Blagrave, 
a great mathematician. (Wood’s Ath. Oxon, li. 96.) 
At the time of his election, Mr. Blagrave was owner of 
the tythes of the prebend of Bedwyn and he sold them 
to the Earl of Hertford in 1594. 


Do. Simon Bowyer, Gent. George Ire- 
land, Gent. 1571-2 
Do. Richard Wheeler, Esq. Roger 


Puleston, Gent. 1584-5 


28. 


31. 


30. 


39. 


Parlt. 


” 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 297 


A.D. 

Roger Puleston sat for Flintshire in the 1st and 12th Jac. 
I, The following funeral certificate probably relates to 
him (MS. Harl. 2180, f. 14.) ‘Sir Roger Pulestyn of 
Emerall in the county of Flynt, Knight, dyed on the 
xvij* day of December 1618, and lyeth interred in Gres- 
ford church in the county of Denbigh. He maryed Susan 
the daught. of Sir George Bromleigh de Halone in the 
county of Salop, Knight and Cheef-Justice of Chest*. 
sans yssue,”’ 


Westr. Richard Wheeler, Esq. Roger 

Puleston, Gent. 1585-6 
Do. John Seymour, Esq. Henry 

Uchtred, Gent. 1588-9 


Henry Uchtred descended from Sir Henry Uchtred, Knt. 
who married Elizabeth 2nd dau. of Sir John Seymour, 
Knt., sister to Queen Jane. He was Sheriff for Hamp- 
shire, 23 Eliz. 


Do. Tho. Hungerford of Stoke, Esq. 
James Kirton of Bedwin, Gent. 1592-3 


James Kirton sat 43 Eliz. and 1 Jac. for Wells city. 


Do. Anth. Hungerford, Esq. 
Fra. Castillion, Esq. 1596-7 


Anthony Hungerford of Stokke Manor in Great Bedwyn, 
afterwards of Black Bourton, co. Oxford, ‘‘sonne of An- 
thony Hungerford, esquire, and Bridgett his wife, was 
baptized the xxix" day of October 1567,” at Great Bed- 
wyn; second brother of Sir John, at that time head of the 
Down Ampney branch. He was knighted at Whitehall 
11 Dee., 1606. He married first, Lucy one of the co- 
heirs of Sir Walter Hungerford of Farley Castle, and 
their son was the Parliamentary Colonel, Sir Edward, 
of Corsham, who in his will, says that he was ‘‘nursed 
in the parish of Great Bedwyn.” Sir Anthony of Black 
Bourton married secondly, Sarah dau. of John Crouch 
of London,.and had several children baptized at Bedwyn. 
He died 27 June 1627, and was buried at Black Bourton. 

Francis Castillion, afterwards knighted, was son of 
John Baptist Castillion, a Piedmontese, who having been 
of service to Queen Elizabeth, in her troubles, had the 
manors of Benham Valence and Wood Spene, co. Berks, 
granted to him in 1565, Sir Francis sold this property in 
1630 to the trustees of Sir William Craven, 


298 


A.R. 


43. Parlt. 


12. 


18. 


21. 


Great Bedwyn. 


Westr. Anth. Hungerford, Esq. 
Lewen Monk, Esq. 1600-1 


Levine Monk, Esq. was one of those created M.A. on 
the King’s visit to Oxford, 30 August, 1605. In 1612-13, 
he was destined to accompany the Lady Elizabeth to the 
Palatinate, as secretary to the Commission for settling her 
jointure. (See King James’s Progresses, i. 556, ii. 601, 
606.) Some of his letters occur in Winwood’s Memorials. 


Jac. I. 
Do. John Rodney, Esq. 
Anth. Hungerford, Esq. 1603-4 
Do. Anthony Hungerford. 
Giles Mompesson. 1614-5 


Giles Mompesson of the Bathampton Wily family, was 
knighted at Newmarket 18 Nov. 1616. He married 
Katherine, daughter of Sir John St. John of Lydiard 
Tregoz. She died 28 Mar. 1633. He was degraded temp. 
James I, 


Do. Fra. Popham, Knt. 
Giles Mompesson, Esq. 1620-1 
Sir Francis Popham of Littlecot, Knt. son of Sir John 
Popham by his wife Amy, heir of Robert Games of Casel- 
ton, co. Glamorgan. Sir Francis married Anne heir of 
John Dudley of Stoke Newington, Esq., by whom he had 
13 children. 
Do. Hugh Crompton, Esq. 
Wm. Cholmley, Esq. 1623-4 


‘‘Hue Crompton, gentilman, was buried the xxx‘ of 
August 1645,” at Great Bedwyn. 


Car. I. 


Do. John Brook, Knt. Wm. Cholmley, Esq. 1625-6 
Do. JohnSelden, Esq. Maurice Berkley, Knt.1625-6 


John Selden was born 16 Dee. 1584 at Sabington in Sus- 
sex. The public character of this distinguished scholar, 
politician and antiquary, is too well known to call for 
notice in this place. In the last Parliament of James I. 
he had been returned for Lancaster, but does not ap- 
pear to have had a seat in Charles’s first Parliament. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 299 


—Anno 3 Car. I, he was returned for Ludgershall, and 
Anno 16 Car. I. for the University of Oxford. He pub- 
lished Analectum Anglo Britannicum,—England’s Epi- 
nomes,—Jani Anglorum facies altera,—a Latin and 
English Treatise on the Progress of English Law,—Titles 
of Honour,—De Diis Syriis, History of Tythes,—Mar- 
mora Arundeliana,—-Treatises on Jewish Antiquities, — 
Mare clausum,—De jure naturali et Gentium juxta Dis- 
ciplinam Ebreorum,—Table Talk published posthu- 
mously, and many productions of minor notoriety. His 
works were collected and published in 3 vols. folio by 
Dr. David Wilkins in 1726. He died 30 Nov. 1654, 


eet. 70. 
3. Parlt. Westr. Edward Kirton, Esq. 
John Trevor, Jun. Knt. 1627-8 
(This is the last entry in the MS. compiled from the Tower 
Records.) 


Edward Kirton sat in the Parliament of 21 Jac. I. for 
Ludgershall, and in that of 16 Car. I. for Milbourne 
Port. His burial is thus entered at Easton, near Pew- 
sey ;—‘'1653-4. Edward Kirton, Officer to the Lord 
Marquesse of Hertford, was buried Jan, 30.” 

A.D. 


1640. 15 Car. I. Richard Harding, Esq. Charles Seymour, Esq. 


Petition, April, 1640. Richard Harding and Charles 
Seymour, Esquires, were chosen, which was contested. 
The account in the Journals is as follows:—‘“Mr. Jones’s 
second report from the Committee of Privileges, That the 
election for this place did belong to the Buailiffs, Portreeves 
and ancient Burgesses of the Town; that there were some 
misdemeanors in one Franklin, that got the precept in 
the Bailiff’s hand, and caused a new Election for his own 
ends, and returned Burgesses under the hands of an offi- 
cer, to whom the warrant was not directed. It was denied 
on the other side, that the Election of Burgesses did be- 
long to the ancient Burgesses of the Town, which were 
the Bailiffs, Portreeves and those that had been officers of 
the Town, and the Election was free to every one, that 


300 


1640. 


Great Bedwyn. 


paid scot and lot. The Committee being not satisfied it 
did belong to the ancient Burgesses by prescription, they 
remitted the Election to the Inhabitants that paid scot 
and lot, who chose Mr. Harding and Mr. Seymour. 

Resolved: Thatin the opinion of the House, grounded 
upon the whole Report now made by Mr. Jones, Mr. 
Harding and Mr. Seymour are well elected. 


Charles Seymour, Esq. was the son of Sir Francis Seymour, who 
was created Baron Seymour of Trowbridge, 19 Feb. 1641, by 
Frances coheir of Sir Gilbert Prinne of Allington, co. Wilts. 
Charles married first at Preshute, 4 Aug. 1632, Mary heir of 
Thomas Smith of Soley, co. Wilts, Esq., the parties being then 
children. He married secondly, Elizabeth daughter of William, 
first Baron Allington, by whom he had issue Francis and Charles, 
who became fifth and sixth Dukes of Somerset. He succeeded his 
father as Baron Seymour of Trowbridge in 1664, and died in the 
following year. He appears to he the only member of his family 
deposited in the Seymour vault in Trowbridge Church. The 
inscription on his coffin plate is as follows ;—‘‘Corpus Caroli Dni 
Seymour, | Baronis de Trowbridge; Obiit | Vicesimo quinto 
Die Augusti | Ano Dni 1665, Suz Etatis 45.” His widow mar- 
ried Sir John Ernle, Knt, (See a subsequent note.) 


16 Car. I. Walter Smith, Knut. Richard Harding, Esq. 
This Parliament, commonly called “The Long Parlia- 
ment,” continued until the year 1660. At some period 
during the interval, Henry Hungerford, Esq. and Edward 
Harvey, Esq. were returned for Bedwyn in room of the 


above. 


Sir Walter Smith, knighted 25 April 1616, was of Shalbourne and 
Great Bedwyn. He was buried at the latter place 28 April 1648. 
In 1646 he was of the number of those adherents to the Royal 
cause, whose property was amerced to the value of a tenth. He 
paid the sum of £685, and £40 per ann. settled on the ministry. 

Mr. Harding was one of those who voted against the Bill for the 
attainder of Lord Strafford, 21 April 1641. Lord Strafford’s friends 
in the House were called ‘‘Straffordians,” ‘‘ betrayers of their coun- 
try,” and were threatened with punishment as enemies of justice. 
Their names were posted on a wall in Old Palace Yard, which 
unusual proceeding had the effect of exciting against them the 
indignation of the populace. There is a list of them in ‘Notes of 
proceedings in the Long Parliament,” published in 1845 by the 
Camden Society, p. 57, &e. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 301 


After the murder of King Charles the First on the 30th 
Jan. 1648-9, the government took the form of a republic, 
and the style assumed was, ‘“‘The Parliament of the Com- 
monwealth of England.” ‘This lasted until Cromwell’s 
soldiers, at his command, expelled the members of the 
House of Commons on the 20th April, 1653, 5 Car. IT. 

1653. 5 Car. IL. July 4. Oliver Cromwell, exercising absolute 
authority as General of the Army, convened ‘“‘The Little 
Parliament,” the members of which were chosen by him- 
self, a few from each county, and none from any cities or 
boroughs, except London. Wiltshire sent three mem- 
bers. This Parliament only held together until the 12th 
December following. 

1654. 6 Car. II. Sept. 3. Cromwell was now styled “Protector.” 
The Parliament convened at this time, consisted of re- 
presentatives returned from counties, cities, and some 
boroughs. Wiltshire sent ten. Cromwell dissolved this 
Parliament on the following 22nd January, on account 
of its not being sufficiently tractable. 

1656. 8 Car. II. Sept. 17. No members were returned to this 
Parliament, but such as were approved by Cromwell’s 
Council. Wiltshire returned ten as before. ‘They were 
dissolved 4 Feb. 1657-8, and on the 3rd Sept. in that 
year (the anniversary of his great successes, at Dunbar 
in 1650, and at Worcester in 1651), Cromwell quitted 
the scene. 

1658-9. 10 Car. II. Jan. 27. Henry Hungerford, Esq. Thomas 
Manley, Esq. This Parliament was called by Richard 
Cromwell, and dissolved by him on the 22nd April 1659. 
He resigned the Protectorate at the same time, the Long 
Parliament, convened in 1640, re-assembled on the 7th 
May, but was again ejected on the 18th Oct. On the 
25th Dec. it was once more restored, and after sitting 
fhree months, the members dissolved themselves on the 
16th March 1659-60. 


302 Great Bedwyn. 


Henry Hungerford of Standen, co. Wilts, son of Sir Anthony 
Hungerford of Black Bourton, knt., by his second wife, Sarah 
Crouch; and half brother of Sir Edward of Corsham and Farley. 
He was baptized at Great Bedwyn 23 July 1611, died 23 May 
1673, and was buried at Hungerford on the 29th. He was one of 
the members excluded from the House by that atrocious invasion 
of Parliamentary rights, commonly called ‘‘ Pride’s Purge,” the 
prelude to the murder of the King. 


1660.. 12 Car. II. Robert Spencer. Thomas Gape. 


“The Convention Parliament,” which met on the 25th 
April and prepared the way for the happy return of the 
Monarch to his kingdom, 29 May. 

Mr. Spencer and Mr. Gape’s election was petitioned 
against 16 May 1660. Mr. Turner reported that upon 
examination of the fact, the question (upon the election 
for this borough) being, whether the inhabitants in gene- 
ral ought not to elect. The Committee were of opinion 
that the Burgesses at large have a right to elect. 

Resolved: That Mr. Spencer and Mr. Gape are duly 
elected. 

Mr. Gape was of an old family of that name at St. Alban’s and 


afterwards of Harpsfield Hall, co. Herts, several of whom sat for 
the borough of St. Alban in Parliament. 


1661. 13 Car. II. Duke Stonehouse. Henry Clarke. 


Petition 17 May 1661. Serjeant Carleton reported from 
the Committee of Privileges, that Duke Stonehouse and 
Henry Clarke, Esquires, are returned by one indenture, * 
and the said Mr. Stonehouse and Mr. Thomas Gape by 
another: and the opinion of the Committee, Mr. Clarke, 
being returned by the proper Officer, ought to sit: to 
which the House agreed. 
Duke Stonehouse was probably one of the family of Stonehouse 
of Radley, co. Berks, Baronets, originally of Kent; but his name 
has not been met with in their pedigree. He died 9 Feb. and was 
buried at Great Bedwyn 14 Feb. 1662. In this year a new Bo- 
rough seal of silver (see plate p. 271,) was given to the Corporation 


by Mr. Daniel Finch, eldest son of Sir Heneage Finch, Bart., af- 
terwards Baron Finch, Earl of Nottingham and Lord Chancellor. 


A.D. 


1678. 


1679. 


1681. 


1685. 


1690. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 303 


Perhaps Mr. Finch succeeded Mr. Stonehouse at Bedwyn, but 
no evidence of the fact has been met with. 


30 Car. II. Francis Stonehouse. John Deane. 


Francis, son of Mr. Duke Stonehouse was baptized at Great Bed- 
wyn 19 Oct. 1653, and was buried at Hungerford 8 June 1738, 
He was of Oriel Coll. Oxford, B.A. 1674, M.A. 1676. He had 
purchased Standen Hussey in 1719 and was of Hungerford Park 
in 1729. 

John Deane was of Oxenwood in the parish of Tidcombe, Wilts, 
son of Mr. James Dean of the same place, Gent. His burial is 
thus entered in the Tidcomb Register, ‘‘1694-5. Colonell John 
Deane Esq’ of Oxenwood buried January y° 4*.” 


31 Car. II. Hon. William Finch. Francis Stonehouse. 


The Hon. William Finch was third son of Sir Heneage, Baron 
Finch, afterwards Earl of Nottingham. 


33 Car. II. Sir John Ernle, Knt., Chancellor of the Ex- 


chequer. John Wildman. 


The Right Hon. Sir John Ernle of Whetham, near Calne, knighted 
in Noy. 1665, Chancellor of the Exchequer and a Privy Council- 
lor, was son of John Ernle, Esq. of Whetham, and a firm adher- 
ent to the Stuarts. He was one of the gentlemen of Wiltshire 
proposed by Charles II. to be a knight of the Royal Oak in 1660, 
a new Order of Knighthood projected on the Restoration but finally 
abandoned. Sir John married first, in 1646, Susan daughter of 
John Howe of Compton, co. Gloucester, Esq., and secondly in 1672, 
Elizabeth, Lady Seymour, relict of Charles, Lord Seymour of 
Trowbridge, and had issue by both those Ladies, He died in 
1697 and was buried at Calne. 


1 Jac. II. John Lowder. Lemuel Kingdon. 


A Lemuel Kingdon, Esq. was buried at St. Giles-in-the-Fields, 
co. Middlesex, from Great Russell Streeet, 19 Feb. 1685-6. 


4 Jac. II. Sir Edmund Warneford, Knt. John Wild- 


man, Sen. 


Sir Edmund Warneford of Sevenhampton, co. Wilts, Knt., son of 
Henry Warneford of Buckland, co. Berks, Gent., was baptized at 
Great Bedwyn 29 Nov. 1652, knighted 11 Noy. 1681. He was 
chosen High Sheriff for Wilts in 1683, and died in 1700, leaving 
a daughter and heir Anne, married to Thomas Estcourt Creswell 
of Sherston Pinkney, co. Wilts. 


1’Gun. and Mar. Sir John Raymond. Anthony, Viscount 


Falkland. 


304 Great Bedwyn. 


AD. 
1694. Francis Stonehouse Joco Viscount Falkland deceased. 


Anthony 4th Viscount Falkland was sworn of His Majesty’s Privy 
Council 17 March 1691, and died in the year 1694. He was 
grandson of Lucius the distinguished Lord Falkland, who fell in 
the Royal cause at Newbury, 20 Sept. 1643. 


1695. 7 Gut. III. Sir Ralph Delaval, Knt. Francis Stonehouse. 


Presumed of Seaton Delaval, co, Northumberland, who became 
the second Baronet of that House on the death of his grandfather 
Sir Ralph Delaval. He married Diana 4th daughter of George, 
first Baron Delamere, and died young in 1696, leaving an only 
daughter. 


1698. 10 Gut. III. Charles Davenant, D.C.L. Francis Stone- 

house. 

Petition: 12 December 1698, of Patrick Bird and John 

Morgan, inhabitants of this Borough against Dr. Charles 

Davenant.—Withdrawn. Petition of Thomas Neal, Esq. 

to a similar effect. Mr. Neal died and thereupon, 
Ordered that the Committee be discharged from pro- 

ceeding in the said Petition. 
Dr. Davenant eldest son of the celebrated poet, Sir William Da- 
venant, was born in 1650 and died in 1714. He was appointed 
joint inspector of Plays, about the year 1685, and subsequently a 
commissioner of the Excise, in which post he did himself much 
eredit in detecting abuses and improving the method of keeping 
accounts. He was also eminent as a statistical writer. 


Mr. Neal had sat in the House for Ludgershall for the last 20 
years, and had been elected to represent that Borough in this 


Parliament. 
1700. 12 Gut. III. Charles Davenant, Doctor of Laws. Francis 
Stonehouse. 
1701. 18 Gut. III. Michael Mitford, merchant. Francis Stone-* 
house. 


1702, 1Annm. Hon. James Bruce, Francis Stonehouse. 


The Hon. James Bruce was youngest son of Robert, Ear] of Ailes- 
bury and Elgin. 


1705. 4 Annm. Nicholas Pollexfen. Sir George Byng, Knt., 
Vice Admiral of the Blue. r 
1705. Rt. Hon. Charles, Lord Bruce, /oco Vice Admiral Sir 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 305 


George Byng, who made his election for Plymouth. 
Petition: 2 Nov. 1705 of the Rt. Hon. Charles, Lord 
Bruce and the Hon. James Bruce, complaining of an un- 
due return of Sir George Byng and Mr. Pollexfen by 
bribery and other corrupt practices.—Petition withdrawn. 


Sir George Byng, the distinguished Naval Officer, son of John 

Byng, Esq., was born at Wrotham 27 Jan. 1663, knighted by 

Queen Anne 22 Oct. 1704, created a Baronet in 1715 and a Peer 

in 1721, as Baron Byng of Southill and Viscount Torrington. 

He was also K.B. Rear Admiral of Great Britain, Treasurer of 

the Navy, and in 1727 First Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty 

in which office he died 17 Jan. 1732-3, and was buried at Sout- - 
hill, co. Bedford. 

Charles, Lord Bruce was the only surviving son of Thomas, 
Earl of Ailesbury and Elgin, and was born 29 May 1682. He was 
summoned to the House of Peers in his father’s barony of 
Whorlton in 1719, and succeeded to the Earldoms in 1741. On 
the 17th of April 1746, having no male heir, the King created 
him Baron Bruce of Tottenham, co. Wilts, with remainder to his 
nephew Thomas Bruce Brudenell. Hedied 10 Feb. 1746-7. 


1707. 6 Annum. May 1. Rt Hon. Charles, Lord Bruce. Nicho- 


1707. 


las Pollexfen, Esq. Mr. Pollexfen being disabled by 
being made a Commissioner of Prizes, a new writ was 


ordered 18 Nov. 1707. 


Tracy Pauncefoot, Jun. (not duly elected). Nicholas 
Pollexfen, Esq. 

Petition: 4 Dee. 1707, of Nicholas Pollexfen, Esq. 
against Mr. Tracy Pauncefoot for bribery and undue 
practices. 22 Dec. Mr. Compton reported that the right 
of election was agreed to be in the freeholders and inhabi- 
tants of ancient burgage messuages. The poll was, for 
Mr. Tracy Pauncefoot,—68 ;—for Mr. Edward Paunce- 
foot, 29 ;—for the Petitioner, 22: that eight voters of 
Mr. Tracy Pauncefoot’s, and one of Mr. Edward Paunce- 
foot’s, were admitted to be unqualified, living in houses 
erected on new foundations. As to bribery, several wit- 
nesses were called :—Richard Bartholomew said, he was 


called out of his bed on Sunday night 23rd Nov. to go to 


306 


A.D. 


Great Bedwyn. 


Munday’s, at the King’s Head; and when he came, he 
found many of his neighbours there; and it was proposed 
to set their hands to a writing to join at the Election of 
Mr. Tracy Pauncefoot, and £3 aman was offered; but 
some insisted to have £4, but it was answered that £3 
was a pretty deal of money for the time this Parliament 
was like to continue, and so £3 a man was agreed to.— 
Nalder and seven others said, they were sent for between 
2 and 3 o’clock at night to Munday’s, and were called 
up stairs, and a writing was offered to them to sign, to 
choose Mr. Tracy Pauncefoot: that there was in the room, 
Captain Hall and Mr. Hall and a person, whose name 
they did not know; that they received two guineas and 
seventeen shillings in silver from the nameless person, 
and when they received it, they saw a great sum on the 
table divided into parcels. Bezant said, that about 60 
were called up into the room, one by one, but some that 
were so called, voted for the Petitioner. They then pro- 
duced a note under Mr. Tracy Pauncefoot’s hand as fol- 
lows :—‘ Nov. 6, 1707, I promise to pay Mr. Bushell or 
order, the sum of Forty nine pounds, on demand, value 
received, T. Pauncefoot.”” It was endorsed, ‘John Bush- 
ell,”” who, they alleged, was a leading man in the town, 
and that the money was given him for his interest. Upon 
the whole, the Committee resolved, “That Tracy Paunce- 
foot, Esq. was found not duly elected, and he was ordered 
into custody for bribery and corruption, as also John 
Bushell, Gent. his agent.”—“ That Nicholas Pollexfen, 
Esq. was duly elected.” ; 
The Pauncefoots were of Witham, co. Lincoln, descended from a 
long line of ancestors seated at Hasfield, co. Gloucester, Bentley 
and Compton Pauncefoot, co. Worcester, and at Cowern, co. Here- 
ford. They are now represented by the Pauncefoot-Duncombes 


of Great Brickhill Manor, co. Bucks, and of Witham on the Hill, 
co. Lincoln. 


1708. 7 Anna. July 8. Charles, Lord Bruce. Samuel Sam- 


broke, Esq. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 307 * 


A.D. 

Petition: 23 Nov. 1708, of Tracy Pauncefoot, Esq. against 

Samuel Sambroke, Esq. for bribery, &e.—Withdrawn. 
Samuel Vanaker Sambroke, son of Sir Jeremy Sambroke of Gobions 
in North Mimms, co. Hertford, and Lord of Erith, co. Kent, knt. 
succeeded in 1710, after his father’s death, to his uncle, Sir John 
Vanaker, whose brother, Sir Nicholas Vanaker, a Turkey merchant 
in London, had been created in 1700 a baronet with remainder, 
first to his brother, John Vanaker, and then to Jeremy Sambroke 


and their heirs male. Sir Samuel died in Chancery Lane, 27 Dec. 
1714, and was buried at Edmonton. 


1710. 9 Annm. Nov. 25. Charles, Lord Bruce. Sir Edward 
Seymour, Bart. 


1711. Thomas Millington, Esq. /oco Lord Bruce, who made his 
election for Marlborough, and a new writ was ordered for 
Bedwyn 9 June 1711. , 


Sir Edward Seymour, Bart, was the son of Sir Edward, Speaker 
of the House of Commons in 1678, &e. He married Letitia, dau. 
of Sir Francis Popham, K.B., and died in Jan. 1740, aged 80. 
Thomas Millington, son of Sir Thomas Millington, M.D. Pre- 
sident of the College of Physicians, who died in 1703-4, leaving 
to this only son, an estate of £2000 per ann. (Le Neve’s mem.) 
1713. 12 Annm. Nov. 12. Sir Edward Seymour, Bart. Thomas 
Millington, Esq. 
1715. 1 Geo. I. Mar. 17. Stephen Bisse, Esq. William Sloper, 
Esq. 
Stephen Bisse was a Commissioner of the Equivalent, also a Com- 
missioner of the Victualling Office. 
1722. 8 Gro. I. May 10. Hon. Robert Bruce. Charles Longue- 
ville. 


Petition: 25 Oct. 1722, of several of the Burgesses of this 
Borough complaining of an undue return of Mr. Bruce 
and Mr. Longueville by partiality of a smith, who acted 
as Portreeve; and other illegal proceedings.—No Report. 
At this election there were six candidates for the representation 
of Great Bedwyn; viz. Robert Bruce, Esq.—Charles Longueville, 


Stephen Bisse,—John Hopkins,—John Tyssen,—and Robert 
D’Oyley. (Commons’ Journal, xx, 44.) 


*308 


A.D. 


1727. 


1728. 
1732. 


Great Bedwyn. 


The Hon. Robert Bruce, was brother to Thomas, Earl of Ailes- 
bury and Elgin, and to James Bruce, mentioned above. He died 
in May 1729, aged 62. 


1 Geo. II. Nov. 28. George, Viscount Lewisham, declared 


not duly elected 26 Mar. 1728. Sir William 
Willys, Bart. 


William Sloper, Esq. /oco Viscount Lewisham. 


Francis Seymour, Esq. /oco Sir William Willys, who died, 
and a new writ was ordered 21 April 1782. 


Lord Lewisham, son of William first Earl of Dartmouth, died of 
small pox in 1732, before his father, leaving a son, who inherited 
the title, and two daughters, one of whom, Anne, married James 
Brudenell, afterwards 5th Karl of Cardigan. 

Sir William Willys was the 6th Baronet of Fen Ditton in Cam- 
bridgeshire. He died 14 April 1732, when the Baronetcy expired. 
His estates were afterwards sold to Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. 

Francis Seymour was second son of Sir Edward, before men- 
tioned, and was of Sherborne, co. Dorset. He was baptized at 
Easton, near Pewsey, 1 Oct. 1697, and was buried at Maiden 
Bradley 2 Jan. 1762, In the next Parliament he sat for Marl- 
borough. 


1734. 8 Geo. II. June 13. William Sloper, Esq. Col. Robert 


1738. 


1741. 


Murray. 


Petition: Jan. 1735, of John Crawley and Abel Ketelby, 
Esqrs.—No Report. 


Edward Popham, Esq. Joco Col. Robert Murray deceased. 
The new writ was ordered 29 March 1738. 


William Sloper was at this time deputy Cofferer of His Majesty’s 
Household. 

Robert Murray was Colonel of a Regiment of Foot, and a Bri- 
gadier General. 

John Crawley was of Stockwood in the county of Bedford. He 
afterwards sat in this, and again in the next Parliament for Marl- 
borough. 

Edward Popham, Esq. of Littlecot, who sat in the four next 
Parliaments for the County of Wilts. 


15 Gro. II. June 25. Sir Edward Turner, Bart. D.C.L. 


Lascelles Metcalf, Esq. 


Sir Edward Turner, Bart. of Ambrosden, co. Oxford, and a mem- 


- =.” 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 309 


A.D. 
ber of Lincoln’s Inn, was son of Sir Edward the first Baronet, also 
of Lincoln’s Inn and Director and Chairman of the East India 
Company. The son was born in 1719, and was created at Oxford 
M.A. in 1738, and D.C.L, 23 Aug. 1744. He inherited large for- 
tunes from his great uncle Edward Turner and his uncle John 
Turner, of Sunbury, co. Middlesex, Esqrs. 


1747. 21 Geo. II. Aug. 13. William Sloper, Esq. Lascelles 
Metcalf, Esq. 


Double return of Sir Edward Turner, Bart. and William 
Scott, Esq., and of William Sloper and Lascelles Metcalfe, 
Esquires. 

Petition against each return, each candidate claiming 
the right to be returned, and the majority of votes. It 
appeared upon the evidence (Dec. 7) that the double re- 
turn was made by consent of the Candidates, and further, 
that this measure proceeded from some confusion in tak- 
ing the poll, but the precise question is not stated. It 
was tried at the Bar of the House, and the question, that 
the return should be considered separately from the me- 
rits, was negatived. 

Sir Edward Turner and Mr. Scott were found not duly 
elected. 


William Scott, Esq. was Equerry to H.R.H. Frederick, Prince of 
Wales. 


1754. 28 Geo. II. Nov. 14. Sir Robert Hildyard, Bart. William 
Sloper, Esq. 
1756. The Hon. Robert Brudenell Joco William Sloper, Esq. 
made a Commissioner of Trade and Plantations, and a 
new writ ordered 4 Dec. 1756. 


Sir Robert Hildyard was the third Baronet of Winestead in Hol- 
derness. He married in 1738 Maria Catharina, heir of Henry 
D’Arey of Sedbury, Esq., by whom he had a son Robert D’Arey, 
on whose death in 1814 without issue, the Baronetcy expired. 


1762. 3 Geo. III. Thomas Cotes, Esq. William Woodley, Esq. 
1766. William Burke, Esq. /oco William Woodley, Esq. who 
accepted the Chiltern Hundreds, and a new writ was 


ordered 6 June 1766. 
U 


310 Great Bedwyn. 


A.D. 
1767. Sir Thomas Fludyer, Knt. loco Thomas Cotes, Esq. de- 
ceased, a new writ having been ordered 24 Nov. 1767. 


Thomas Cotes, Esq. was a Vice Admiral of the Red and an Elder 
Brother of the Trinity House. - 

William, son of John Burke, Esq. of London, a near relative of 
the celebrated statesman, Edmund Burke, and an intimate friend 
of the Earl Verney, was educated at Westminster and at Ch. 
Ch. Oxford, where he took the degree of B.C.L. 31 May 1755. 
Mr. Burke, who had been Secretary to the Island of Guadaloupe 
and afterwards Under Secretary of State, first for the Southern 
Department, and then for the Northern, went in 1777, by overland 
route, to Madras, with despatches for Lord Pigot, who, on Mr. 
Burke’s arrival was dead. He returned to England as agent to 
the Rajah of Tanjore, in whose behalf he laboured successfully 
with the home authorities. In 1779 he went back to India, and 
was appointed Deputy Paymaster General of the King’s troops, 
and in 1782, Commissary General of the Forces in the East In- 
dies. He came home in 1793, without having amassed a fortune, 
but with his health much impaired. He died in 1798, (Alumni 
Westms. p. 341.) 

Sir Thomas Fludyer was a merchant in London, knighted by 
George III. in 1761. He was next brother to Sir Samuel Flud- 
yer, Bart., Alderman of London and Lord Mayor in 1761, who 
married for his second wife, Caroline daughter of The Hon. James 
Brudenell, second son of Francis, Lord Brudenell, who died in 
the life time of his father, Robert, second Earl of Cardigan. 


1768. 9 Geo. III. May 10. The Hon. James Brudenell. The 
Hon. Robert Brudenell. . 

1768. William Burke, Esq. /oco The Hon. Robert Brudenell, 
who made his election for Marlborough, and a new writ 
was ordered 13 May 1768. 

1768. William Northey, Esq. /oco The Hon. James Brudenell, 
who accepted the Chiltern Hundreds, and a new writ 
was ordered 8 Nov 1768. 

1770. William Northey, Esq. having been made a Commissioner 
of Trade and Plantations, was re-elected on a new writ 
ordered 12 April 1770. 

1770. | Benjamin Hopkins, Esq. /oco William Northey, Esq. de- 
ceased. The new writ was ordered 22 Dec. 1770. 

The Hon. James and Robert Brudenell, second and third sons of 


OP ae fe 


1774. 


1774. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 311 


George, third Earl of Cardigan. Their eldest brother was George, 
fourth Earl of Cardigan, K.G., created in 1766 Marquis of Mont- 
hermer and Duke of Montagu; and their youngest brother was 
Thomas, second Baron Bruce of Tottenham, created in 1776 Earl 
of Ailesbury. James Brudenell, born 10 April 1725, was Master 
of the Robes. He was created Baron Brudenell of Deane in 1780, 
which dignity expired on his decease. He succeeded his brother 
in the Earldom of Cardigan and Barony of Brudenell of Stanton 
Wyvill in 1790, and died without surviving issue 24 Feb. 1811, 
Robert Brudenell, born 20 Oct. 1726, died 20 Oct. 1768. He was 
Lieut. Governor of Windsor Castle, Colonel of the 4th regiment, 
Groom of the Bedchamber to the Duke of York, and Vice Cham- 
berlain to Her Majesty. His only son Robert, born posthumous 
26 April 1769, succeeded as sixth Earl of Cardigan in 1811. 

William, son of William Northey, Esq. of Compton Basset and 
other manors in the county of Wilts, by Abigail, daughter of Sir 
Thomas Webster of Battel Abbey, Bart. and grandson of Sir Ed- 
ward Northey, who was Attorney General to Queen Anne, was a 
Groom of the Bedchamber to George III. He was created D.C.L. 
at Oxford 2 July 1754, was a Fellow of the Royal Society and 
Lieut. Col. of the Wiltshire Militia. In the House of Commons 
he was a distinguished member, espousing the cause of the Oppo- 
sition in the eventful period, in which he lived. This William 
Northey sold Compton Basset in 1761, but his descendants still re- 
tain the manors of Box and Haselbury in this county. 

Benjamin (Bond) Hopkins, Esq., had a considerable property 
in the parishes of Great Bedwyn and Burbage, all of which, ex- 
cept the manor of Wexcombe, he sold to the Earl of Ailesbury in 
1787. 


15 Geo. III. Nov. 29. James, Earl of Courtown. Paul 


Methuen, Esq. 


James, Viscount Cranbourn /oco James, Earl of Courtown, 
who accepted the Chiltern Hundreds, and a new writ was 
ordered 4 Dec. 1774. 


James, second Earl of Courtown, co. Wexford, was created a Peer 
of Great Britain in 1794 as Baron Saltersford, co. Chester. He 
married Mary, coheir of Richard Powys, Esq, of Hintlesham Hall, 
co. Suffolk, by Mary, daughter of George, third Earl of Cardigan. 

Paul, son of Thomas Methuen of Bradford-on-Avon, Esq., by 
Anne, daughter of Isaac Selfe of Benacre, Esq., purchased Cors- 
ham House, co. Wilts. His relative Sir Paul Methuen, K.B, 
the distinguished Minister in the reigns of Queen Anne and King 
George, bequeathed to him the fine collection of pictures, which 
now adorns the gallery at Corsham; but Corsham never belonged 
to Sir Paul. Mr. Methnen died 1795, 


Det 


312 Great Bedwyn. 


A.D. 
Viscount Cranbourne was the only son of James, sixth Earl of 
Salisbury of the house of Cecil. He was created D.C.L. at Ox- 
ford, 7 July 1773. He inherited the family title in 1780, was 
created Marquis of Salisbury in 1789, and elected a Knight of the 
Garter 12 June 1793, but not installed until May 1801. He died 
13 June 1823. 


1780. 21 Geo. III. Oct. 31. Sir Merrik Burrell, Bart. Paul 
Methuen, Esq. 


1781. Paul Cobb Methuen, Esq. Joco Paul Methuen, Esq. who 
accepted the Chiltern Hundreds, and a new writ was 
ordered in Feb. 1781. 


Sir Merrik Burrell, second son of Peter Burrell of Beckenham, 
co. Kent, Esq., by Isabella, second daughter of John Merrik of 
Stubbers, co. Essex, Esq., was of West Grinstead Park, Governor 
of the Bank of England, and created a Baronet 15 July 1766, 
with remainder, in default of his own male issue, to Peter Burrell 
of Beckenham, Esq. Sir Merrik died issueless in 1787. 

Paul Cobb Methuen, son of the above Paul Methuen, was father 
of Paul, raised to the Peerage in 1838, as Baron Methuen of 
Corsham. 


1784. 24 Gxo. III. May 18. James, Marquis of Graham. Robert 
Manners, Esq. 


1789. James, Marquis of Graham, having been made Joint 
Paymaster General of the Land Forces, and a new writ 
ordered 31 July 1789, was re-elected. 

James, Marquis of Graham, was the only son of William, second 
Duke of Montrose, whom he succeeded 23 Sept. 1790. He was of 
Trinity College, Cambridge, and took the degree of M.A. in 1775. 
He was installed a Knight of the Garter 21 March 1812, became 
Lord Justice General of Scotland, Lord Lieutenant of the counties 
of Stirling and Galloway, and Chancellor of the University of 
Glasgow. He died 30 Dec. 1836. 

Robert Manners, Esq. was son to Lord Robert Manners and 
grandson of John, second Duke of Rutland, He was Lieut. Col., 
afterwards a General, in the Army, and one of His Majesty’s 
Equerries. 


1790. 381 Geo. IIT. Nov. 25. James, Marquis of Graham. John, 
Lord Doune. 
1790. James George, Viscount Stopford, /oco the Marquis of 
Graham, who succeeded to the Dukedom of Montrose, 
and a new writ was ordered 12 Dec. 1790. 


A.D. 
1792. 


1798. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 313 


Kdward Hyde East, Esq. Joco Lord Doune, deceased. The 
new writ was ordered 1 Feb. 1792. 


James George, Viscount Stopford having been made 
Treasurer of His Majesty’s Household, and a new writ 
ordered 21 June 17938, was re-elected. 


John, Lord Doune, second, but eldest surviving son of Francis, 
eighth Earl of Moray, by Jane, eldest daughter of John, twelfth 
Lord Gray, was born in Edinburgh 11 Feb. 1768, and died, un- 
married, in his father’s life time, 6 July 1791. He was buried at 
Dunibrisal, on the coast of Fife, N.B. 

James George, Viscount Stopford, eldest son of James, second 
Earl of Courtown, succeeded to the Earldom in 1810, and died in 
1835. 

Edward Hyde East, son of Edward East, Esq. of Whitehall, 
Jamaica, was born in 1764. He was an eminent lawyer and 
the author of the celebrated ‘‘Term Reports,” ‘‘East’s Reports,’ 
and of a work entitled ‘‘ Pleas of the Crown.” He was knighted 
in 1812, on being appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court 
of Judicature at Calcutta, where he will be long remembered as 
the founder of the Hindoo College. After his return to England, 
he was created a Baronet, his patent bearing date, 25 April 1823. 
He was a Privy Councillor and a Fellow of the Royal Society, and 
died in 1847. 


1796. 36 Geo. III. Sept. 27. The Hon. Thomas Bruce. John 


1797. 


Wodehouse, Esq. 


Robert John Buxton, Esq. Joco the Hon. Thomas Bruce, 
deceased. ‘The new writ was ordered 15 Dec. 1797. 


The Hon. Thomas Bruce was third son of William, eighth Earl of 
Kincardine; brother to Charles the ninth Earl, who inherited the 
Earldom of Elgin on the death of Charles, Earl of Ailesbury and 
Elgin; uncle to William Robert, and Thomas, the tenth and 
eleventh Earls, the latter of whom was the celebrated collector of 
the Elgin marbles, whilst Ambassador in Turkey. Thomas Bruce 
was a Lieut. General in the Army and Colonel of the 16th regi- 
ment of Foot. 

John Wodehouse, Esq. was son of Sir John Wodehouse, the 
seventh Baronet of Kimberley, co. Norfolk, who was elevated to 
the Peerage as Baron Wodehouse of Kimberley, on the 26 Oct. 
1797. He succeeded his father in 1834, was appointed Lord 
Lieutenant of the county, and Vice Admiral of the Coast, of Nor- 
folk, Colonel of the East Norfolk Militia, and Lord Steward of 
Norwich Cathedral. He died in 1846, 


314 Great Bedwyn. 


Robert John, eldest son of John Buxton, Esq. of Channons 
Hall and Shadwell Court, co. Norfolk, by Elizabeth, heir of John 
Jacob, Esq. of Norton and Tockenham, co, Wilts, was born in 
1753. He was one of William Pitt’s intimate friends and firmest 
supporters. On 25 Noy. 1800 he was created a Baronet and died 7 
June 1839. 


1801. 41 Geo. ILI. Feb. 2. Sir Robert John Buxton, Bart. The 
Hon. John Wodehouse. 
1802. 48 Gero. III. Nov. 12. Sir Robert John Buxton, Bart. 
' Nathaniel Holland, Esq. 
1806. 47 Geo. III. Dec. 10. James George, Viscount Stopford. 
James Henry Leigh, Esq. 


1807. Sir Vicary Gibbs, Knt. /oco Viscount Stopford, made Comp- 
troller of His Majesty’s Household, and a new writ ordered 
13 April 1807. 


James Henry, son of James Leigh, Esq. of Adlestrop and Long- 
borough, co. Gloucester, by Lady Caroline Brydges, eldest daugh- 
ter of Henry, Duke of Chandos, by Mary, eldest daughter and 
coheir of Charles, Earl of Ailesbury and Elgin, was born in 1765. 
Mr. Leigh was afterwards of Stoneleigh Abbey, co. Warwick, and 
father to Chandos Leigh, who in May 1839 was created Baron 
Leigh of Stoneleigh. Mr. Leigh died 27 October 1823. 

Sir Vicary Gibbs was eldest son of George Abraham Gibbs, a 
surgeon at Exeter, and also of Clyst St. George, co. Devon (where 
the family had possessed an estate from the time of Queen Eliza- 
beth), by Ann, daughter and eventually coheir of Antony Vicary, 
Esq. He was among the Alumni Etonenses of the year 1770, and 
in due time became a Fellow of King’s College, Cambridge, B.A. 
in 1775 and M.A. in 1778. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s 
Inn, became Recorder of Bristol, Solicitor General, and was 
knighted 20 Feb. 1805, Attorney General in 1807, in which year 
he was chosen a burgess in Parliament for the University of Cam- 
bridge, haying resigned his seat for Bedwyn. He was appointed 
a Judge of the Common Pleas in 1812, Lord Chief Baron of the 
Exchequer in 1813, and in the same year Lord Chief Justice of 
the Common Pleas. This office he resigned in 1818 in conse- 
quence of ill health, and died on the 8th Feb. 1820. He was buried 
at Hayes in Kent where he had purchased an estate. He married 
Frances Cerjat Humberstone Mackenzie, sister to Lord Seaforth, 
by whom he had one child, Maria, now widow of General Sir 
Andrew Pilkington. 


1807. 47 Gxo. III. May 11. James Henry Leigh, Esq. Sir John 
Nicholl, Knt. 


A.D. 


1812. 


1818. 


1818. 


1820. 


1822. 


1826. 


1830. 


By the Rev. J. Ward. 815 


The Right Hon. Sir John Nicholl, Knt., D.C.., F.R.S., of Mer- 
thyrmawr, co. Glamorgan, who represented this Borough for so 
many years, was second son of John Nicholl, Esq. of Llanmaes, 
eo. Glamorgan. He was born 16 March 1759, was educated at 
Cowbridge and Bristol Schools, became in 1775, Fellow of St. 
John’s College, Oxford, as founder’s kinsman, and took the de- 
gree of B.C.L. 15 June 1780, and D.C.L. 6 April 1785. In the 
latter year he was admitted an advocate in Doctor’s Commons, 
and in 1798 appointed His Majesty’s Advocate General, when he 
was knighted. In 1809 he was raised to the office of Dean ot the 
Court of Arches and Judge of the Preregative Court of Canterbury, 
and he was sworn of the Privy Council. In 1821, towards the 
latter end of the year, he accepted the Chiltern Hundreds, in order 
to stand for the University of Oxford in the room of Sir William 
Scott, created Baron Stowell, but the suffrages were in favour of 
Richard Heber, Esq. In 1833 he was appointed Judge of the 
Admiralty Court, and was allowed to hold his other offices in 
eommendam. He died after along and eminently useful life, on 
the 26 August 1638. 


52 Geo. III. Oct. 10. James Henry Leigh, Esq. The 
Right Hon. Sir John Nicholl, Knt. 


John Jacob Buxton, Esq. /oco James Henry Leigh, Esq. 
who accepted the Chiltern Hundreds, and a new writ was 
ordered 21 Mar. 1818. 


John Jacob Buxton, eldest son of Sir Robert John Buxton, Bart., 
mentioned above, was born 13 Aug, 1788, succeeded his father in 
1839, and died 13 Oct. 1842. 
58 Gro. III. June 16. The Right Hon. Sir John Nicholl, 
Knt. John Jacob Buxton, Esq. 


1 Geo. IV. Mar. 6. The Right Hon. Sir John Nicholl, 
Knt. John Jacob Buxton, Esq. 
The Right Hon. Sir John Nicholl, having accepted the 
Chiltern Hundreds, and a new writ being ordered 11 Feb. 
1822, was re-elected. 
7 Geo. IV. June 9. The Right Hon. Sir John Nicholl, 
Knt. John Jacob Buxton, Esq. 


1 Guu. IV. Aug. 2. The Right Hon. Sir John Nicholl, 
Knt. John Jacob Buxton, Esq. 


316 Great Bedwyn. 


A.D. 
1831. 1 Gui. IV. Apr. 30. The Right Hon, Sir John Nicholl, 
Knt. John Jacob Buxton, Esq. 
The notes to the above list have been taken in general from well known 


sources, but some have been furnished by the kind favour of the Rey. Canon 
Jackson, John Gough Nichols, Esq., and George E. Adams, Esq. J. W. 


Page 284. II].—The Arms impaled with Seymour are not cor- 
rectly described in the text. They should be given thus :— 
1. Quarterly, Ermine and Gules, for Stanhope. 
2. Vert, three wolves passant in pale Or, for Mallovell. 
3. Sable, a bend between six cross crosslets Argent, for Long- 
villiers. 
4. Argent, three saltires engrailed Sable, for Lexington. 


Additional Notes. 
Under a.p. 1722, page 307. 


Charles Longueville of the Temple, Esq., was Auditor to Caroline, 
-Queen of George II., and son of William Longueville, Esq. 
a younger branch of the Wolverton family. He sat after- 
wards for East Loe in Cornwall. 


Under a.p. 1734, page 308. 


John Crawley, Esq. married in 1740, Susannah, daughter of Sir 
Samuel Vanaker Sambroke, Bart. 


317 


EXAMINATION OF 


Harvows on the Downs of Alorth Wiltshire, 
in 1853-57. | 
By JouHn TuurnaM, M.D., F.S.A. 


PLPost of the barrows on the North Wiltshire Downs have 
DA GY been examined: some by Sir R. C. Hoare, some by his 
colleague Mr. Cunnington, and others by the late Dean Merewe- 
ther; but many by unknown and unqualified persons, who, whilst 
they have defaced these ancient mounds, have left no record of their 
operations. It is clearly the duty of those who engage in such 
researches to describe them, and I have pleasure in responding to 
the request of our Committee, that I would give some account of 
the few barrows I have opened on these Downs, during the past sum- 
mers. I will commence with those near Shepherd’s Shore, about 
five miles to the north of Devizes. 

1. The first is close to the London road at New Shepherd’s Shore, 
and immediately adjacent to the remarkable triplet barrow, exam- 
ined in 1804 and 1814 by Mr. Cunnington and Sir R. C. Hoare, 
the curious proportions of which are in course of gradual oblitera- 
tion, by the foot-paths and trackways made across them to the 
adjacent farmstead and cottages.1 That we opened in 1855 is a 
bell-shaped barrow about five and a half feet in height. In the 
centre, in a shallow cist scooped out of the chalk rock, was a deposit 
of burnt human bones, without an admixture of charcoal, or any 
object of art or other relic. It may be observed that when the 
other barrows of this group, including two of those forming the 


1 In June 1852, through the kindness of Mr. William Cunnington, the writer 
witnessed the large but unsuccessful excavation made in the large mound, the 
more northern of this triplet, which had previously baffled Sir R. C. Hoare. See 
Ancient Wilts, vol. ii. p. 92, The external form of these curiously arranged 
barrows is well described by Mr. Falkner of Devizes, in the Archwologia, 1847, 
yol, xxzxii, p. 457, 


318 Examination of Barrows on 


triplet, were opened, they were also found to cover interments 
after cremation. 

2. This barrow is on Morgan’s Hill just above Old Shepherd’s 
Shore, close to, and on the south of, the barrier of Wansdyke. It is 
of the simple bowl-form and about three feet high. The turf over 
it was perfectly smooth and appeared never to have been disturbed. 
At a depth of three and a half feet, in an oval cist in the natural 
surface of the chalk was the skeleton of a man, about thirty years 
of age and probably six feet in height. The skeleton was in a con- 
tracted position, with the head to the north, the knees drawn up 
and the legs completely flexed behind the thighs. There was no 
other relic of any kind. The skull (of which four views are given!) 
is of full size, and had contained a brain weighing upwards of 
53 oz. It approaches to the shortened-oval or brachycephalic 
form. The forehead is narrow but moderately full and high: the 
nasal bones project most abruptly. The facial bones are of full 
size and rugged. The ascending process of the lower jaw is broad 
and rectangular. The teeth are large, one molar only having been 
lost during life, from the effects of an alveolar abscess. Their 
crowns are much worn, the eroded and hollow surfaces having an 
oblique position. The thigh bones measured nineteen and a half, 
and the leg bones (tibie) fifteen and a half inches in length. 

3. A large conical mound, with steep irregular sides and nearly 
seven feet high, on the west of Morgan’s Hill, close to the foss on 
the north side of Wansdyke and just above its junction with the 
Roman road from Cunetio.2 A large shaft was sunk through the 
centre to the depth of seven feet, but nothing was found excepting 
some black wood ashes at two feet, and again at five feet. The 
probable conclusion is, that this was a beacon or specular mound 
commanding the extensive vale of the Avon, which spreads out below 


1 We are indebted to Mr. J. B. Davis, F.S.A., for the use of these wood en- 
gravings, which are taken from the Fourth Decade of the ‘‘Crania Britannica,”’ 
where a lithographed full-sized profile view of this skull is also given. 

2Shown in Hoare’s Ancient Wilts, vol. ii. pl. 5, No. 2; and in Stukeley’s 
Abury, pl. 10. The mound described must have been close to the gibbet seen 
in this last plate. 


SKULL FROM MORGAN’S HILL.—QUARTER SIZE. 


the Downs of North Wiltshire. 319 


to the Roman Verlucio and the vicinity of Aque Solis. An adja- 
cent mound of similar form may be of the same character. 

4. A very inconspicuous barrow on the northern slope of Mor- 
gan’s Hill, about half a mile to the north of that last described, 
not laid down in the Ordnance or any other map I have seen. It 
is about two feet in height, and had no marks of prior opening. 
In the centre, in a round hole in the chalk, was a deposit of black 
ashes, and beneath these a heap of burnt human bones, with which 
were two beautifully barbed arrow heads and a rudely formed knife 
or dagger, all of flint, very brittle and white, probably as the result 
of incremation. 

5. A small mound, still less conspicuous than No. 4, lying about 
a stone’s throw to the west and nearer the Roman road. At a 
depth of eighteen inches, was a heap of burnt bones, apparently 
those of a child, and with them some ill-formed and discoloured 
flint flakes. 

On the open Down below Morgan’s Hill, and pointing towards 
Oldbury, is a conspicuous group of barrows, chiefly of the bell-form, 
and from eight to twelve feet in height. All bear traces of having 
been opened; but as there is no record of the results, we dug into 
two of them. The most southern is upwards 
of seven feet high and remarkable for an en- OPEN’D 
closing dyke of earth which surrounds its foss. 

A few bits of burnt bone were thrown up, 1804 

and at a depth of about eight feet a half- 

penny of the reign of George the Third, and w.C. 

a square leaden plate, stamped 
The fourth of the group is a small bowl-shaped barrow, in 
which, at a depth of a foot and a half, were the fragments of 
a very large wide-mouthed urn, of unusually black colour and 
brittle texture. It was with difficulty in part restored, and 
must when complete have been fifteen inches in height and 
twelve inches in diameter. With it were many fragments of 
burnt bones, and beneath the whole, one of Mr. Cunnington’s lead 
plates, of the same date as the other. It is hence probable that 
the entire group was opened at that time, and it is to be regretted 


320 Examination of Barrows on 


that no record of the investigation has been published: perhaps 
such may remain in manuscript among Mr. Cunnington’s papers 
either in the Library at Stourhead, or in the possession of his 
family.! 

A small low barrow on Pound Down, within a short distance of 


‘It appears from the remarks of Sir R. C. Hoare (Ancient Wilts, vol. i. p. 
166, 173,) that ‘“‘during the early period of Mr. Cunnington’s researches, no 
very regular account was kept of his discoveries,” as at first ‘‘no idea was en- 
tertained of prosecuting them to the extent’ to which they were ultimately 
carried, and ‘‘ not the most distant thought was entertained of laying the result 
before the public.” Mz, Cunnington’s claim to be the first accurate inquirer into 
the sepulchral antiquities of Wiltshire, is repeatedly stated by Sir Richard Hoare, 
who, referring to his death in 1810, calls him ‘‘the Alpha of his publication,”—the 
‘Ancient Wiltshire,” (vol. i. p. 173.) The first volume of these magnificent 
folios, commenced in 1810 and published in 1812, is “‘ appropriately dedicated’’ 
to Mr. Cunnington, as “‘a tribute due to justice and friendship.” In the dedi- 
cation of the second volume to Sir Joseph Banks, in 1819-21, SirR. C.H. says Mr. 
Cunnington ‘‘first induced me to explore the ancient relies of the Britons, 
and to him I chiefly owe the valuable information I have received from a 
minute inquiry into the local antiquities of our county.” In a later work, Sir 
Richard repeats these acknowledgements, and observes that ‘‘ it was reserved 
for Mr. Cunnington of Heytesbury to investigate barrows in a more perfect 
manner, and to prove that the primary interment was not near the top but al- 
ways on the floor of the barrow, and generally in a cist cut in the chalk.” 
(Tumuli Wiltunenses 1829, p. 3,7.) Sir Richard Hoare associated himself with 
Mr. Cunnington in these undertakings in 1804, when he agreed to bear the ex- 
pense of further researches in the barrows (‘‘ Britton’s Autobiography,” vol. 
i, p. 370.); and from this date an exact record of their joint and extensive labours 


appears to haye been kept. The name of Sir Richard Hoare, whose— 
search 
Has dived the Druid mound, illustrating 
His country’s annals, and the monuments 
Of darkest ages,”—(Days Departed,” W. L. Bowles.) 


merits indeed the place it must ever hold in connection with the most elaborate 
investigations of ancient British antiquities yet made; as without his co- 
operation there is no probability that they could have been prosecuted so exten- 
sively, or given to the public with such a profusion of costly illustration. The 
Rey. Joseph Hunter, F.8.A. speaking of the ‘‘Ancient Wiltshire,” may perhaps 
somewhat underrate Mr. Cunnington’s contributions, to at least, the first volume, 
when he says, ‘‘ In this great work Sir Richard Hoare is entitled to stand very 
much alone as its author; and it is but in that spirit of modesty, which was a 
striking part of a character singularly gentle and amiable, that he assigns to 
any other person any material share in the labour.” (Salisbury Vol. Arch. Inst. 
p. 20.) The only unavoidable regret, in connection with these researches into 
the barrows, is that anatomical and ethnological science was not brought to 
bear on the human remains, and especially the erania, which were so extensively 
exhumed. 


the Downs of North Wiltshire. 321 


the last group and nearly opposite the fifth mile-stone from De- 
vizes, was also examined. This proved to be the one opened by 
Sir R. C. Hoare August 11th, 1814,! which was the subject of 
a lengthy poem, entitled “Beth Pennard, or the British Chief- 
tain’s Grave,’ by the Rev. John Skinner, who with Dean Mere- 
wether,? was present at the opening. From the terms in which 
Sir Richard Hoare describes the situation of this barrow (in which 
the richly ornamented earthen drinking cup, here figured,* was 
found near the head ofa skeleton) 
it was at first by no means clear to 
which he refers. Its identity with if en Wa 

that which we re-opened was how- ah a Tay OF il 
ever proved by the discovery ofa i ait i i he a 
brass medal, inscribed | aie ae ae cmt 


i » Hh i! 
cin : 
wat 


iy 
OPENED 


BY 


( 
(hn, al ame a 


ai ly 
Ns sD M4 


Wp 


A, Oa a 


with the fragments of a skeleton in a cist, which had been exca- 
vated to some depth in the chalk. Much poetical merit cannot be 
claimed for Mr. Skinner’s unpublished verses; from which, however, 


1 Ancient Wilts, vol. ii. p. 92, No. 4. 

2 Wilts Archeological and Natural History Magazine, vol. iv. p. 361, note. 

5 Proceedings Archeological Institute, at Salisbury,” 1849, p. 109. The 
Dean’s description of the locality is also ambiguous; but one of Sir Richard’s 
** pioneers,” the octogenarian John Parker, perfectly remembers the barrow as 
the one we re-opened. ‘Dr. Stukeley” says Sir R. C. Hoare, ‘‘has recorded 
the merits of Reuben Horsall, the Town Clerk of Abury: and why should I 
not do equal justice to those of our Heytesbury pioneers . . . John Parker 
and his father Stephen, to the former of whom we feel much indebted for many 
interesting discoveries.” —Ancient Wilts, vol. i. p. 97. 

* For the use of the wood-cut of this cup, from the Catalogue of the Museum at 
Stourhead, we are indebted to Messrs. Nichols and Sons, of Parliament Street. 
The vase is here represented of about one-third its actual size, 


822 Examination of Barrows on 


as referring to the opening of this particular barrow, and as con- 
taining a complimentary allusion to Sir Richard Hoare, the follow- 
ing lines may be quoted. 

‘Two feet beneath the verdant glade, 

By Bards a narrow cist is made, 

Yet ample to contain 
Those listless limbs, in speed and force 
Which rival’d once the fleetest horse, 
Light bounding o’er the plain. 
* * * * 

Now fill the hallowed cup of clay 

With dew from Cromlech’s summit grey, 

Last night procured in locks of wool, 

Fill it with care and fill it full. 

Such beverage suits etherial sprite 

Ere it ascends to realms of light. 

Place it contiguous to the head 

And o’er its mouth a covering spread, 

The liquid pure awhile to keep, 

To guard it from the incumbent heap. 

Two thousand years their course will fly ~ 

Before the vase be void and dry. 

Then ’tis decreed—I hail the sign— 

The grave its treasure must resign 

To a kind Chief, who will revere 

A chieftain’s relics buried here. 

One who with us delights to ken 

The ancient works of Celtic men ; 

Who makes their labours by his own 

Survive, when falls each magic stone, 

Or roaming midst the hills and groves, 

Views scenes which every Druid loves. 

The cup our benefactor’s hand 

That time shall grace, when through the land 

Soft peace and all her festive train, 

By Britain hailed, shall smile again. 

To him alone, by Belin’s doom, 

The gifted treasure of the tomb 

Shall pass, to guard with constant spell 

Each stream and shade, each hill and dell ; 

That all his days may tranquil glide, 

As his we place it now beside !” 


There are several groups of barrows, mostly of small size, on 
the Downs to the east of Shepherd’s Shore, close to Wansdyke on 
the north. The first of these, near the road, consists of three very 
small mounds, two of which had been opened before. 


the Downs of North Wiiltshire. 3823 


6. In the third, at a depth of two feet, was the skeleton of a tall 
female in a shallow cist, in the usual contracted posture, with the 
head to the north: under the turf were a few teeth of an ox. No- 
thing else was found. 

About a quarter of a mile to the east, on Roughridge Hill, are 
two groups, the first consisting of four, the other of three low 
mounds. 

7. In the second of the first group, counting from the south, at 
the depth of a foot, was a deposit of the burnt bones of a female or 
young person. The other three had been previously opened by 
Mr. William Cunnington, and all found to cover interments after 
cremation. 

In each of the more northernly group of three, we also found 
deposits of burnt bones: 

8. In the first, these were at the depth of between three and four 
feet, mixed with a few ashes, and with fragments of sun-dried pot- 
tery, of both the coarse and finer sorts. There were also two pins 
of ivory, one of them tinged with bronze. 

9. This yielded nothing beyond a heap of burnt bones, on the 
surface of the chalk. 

10. In this, at a depth of two feet, was a small deposit of in- 
cinerated bones, with much burnt wood and ashes, and likewise a 
small cup of ornamented but coarse sun-dried pottery, and a per- 
forated bead of bone or ivory an inch long. Ata distance of two 
feet on the same level, was the jaw of a pig, and in another place a 
bone or two of an ox. 

11. A single barrow on the slope of the hill about half a mile to 
the north of the last, (marked on the Ordnance Map, but not on 
those in “Ancient Wilts,”) at the depth of two feet, yielded a few 
burnt bones, a fragment of black pottery and a tooth or two of 
an Ox. 

Further east, on the summit of Easton Hill, are a long barrow, 
and one of a fine bell-shape. 

12. In this last, at the depth of two feet, was a grooved pin of 
bone two inches long, and a few scattered teeth and animal bones. 
At six feet was a large pile of burnt bones, probably those of a 
male; and below and around these, a quantity of wood ashes. 


324 Examination of Barrows on 


13. The long barrow, of moderate size, ranges almost due east 
and west, has the usual slight trench on the north and south sides, 
not continued round the west or east end, which last is the highest 
and widest part of the mound. There were marks of former dig- 
gings at the east end, near which a large opening was made down 
to the natural soil. Here, were the scattered bones of four human 
skeletons, two adult males, and two apparently young persons. 
The teeth were much worn, the erosion being most marked on the 
outer edges of the lower, and inner edges of the upper, teeth. 
There were also a few chippings and fragments of Sarsen stones. 

14. On Horton Down, about half a mile further east, is a single 
barrow of low elevation, in which, at a depth of two feet, was a 
simple deposit of burnt bones. 

Still further east, on St. Anne’s, or as it is commonly called, 
Tan Hill,! to the south of Wansdyke and overlooking the villages 
of Allington and All Cannings, are four barrows, all of the bowl 
form, surrounded by shallow trenches. 

15. In the first of these, to the west, at a depth of three feet 
and a half, were the burnt bones, apparently of a female or young 


1The vulgar name of Tan Hill has almost supplanted its proper designation 
of St. Anne’s Hill, by which it is still known on the Maps. The great annual 
fair held here on old St. Anne’s day, (Aug. 6th) is sufficient proof of the etymo- 
logy, and of the unsatisfactory nature of the speculations of the late Canon Bowles 
and others, by whom its name was connected with that of the Celtic Jupiter, Zar- 
anis.—(Bremhill, 1828, p. 35; Hermes Brit. p. 14.) Stronger testimony may be 
derivable from Anglo-Saxon charters of the 10th century, of Edward the elder, 
Edwy and Edgar, in which, if Fosbroke’s reading is to be accepted, mention is 
made, in describing the boundaries of the adjoining parish of Stanton, of “‘Anne’s 
Thorn” and ‘‘Anne’s Stone,” probably on this very hill, (Hoare’s Regist. Wil- 
tun, p. 6; Cod. Dip. Nos. 335, 467, and 482). In the 17th century, Aubrey 
writes of ‘“‘St. Anne’s Hill” as “‘vulgarly called Tann Hill, where every yeare on 
St. Anne’s day (26 July) is kept a great fair, within an old camp.” (Nat. Hist. 
of Wilts, p. 114). Mr. Duke,*who thought the fair of St. Anne may have suc- 
ceeded to the ferie of Diana, observes ‘‘the corruption of St. Anne’s Hill to 
Tan Hill is obviously thus, St. Anne’s Hill—S’tan Hill—Tan Hill.” (Druidical 
Temples of Wilts, 1846, p. 95.) There can be little doubt that this hill has 
been the site of pagan rites, but to what deity these were paid, there is, we 
think, no proof. The Beltein may likely enough have been here celebrated ; 
but these midsummer fires were especially in honour of the solar god, Belin. 
The hill, it seems clear, derives its name from that of the patron saint of the 
parish church (All Cannings) viz. St. Anne. 


the Downs of North Wiltshire. 325 


person, and with them a small bead of bluish glass and three larger 
ones with a pendant, all of jet. 

16. In the most eastern, at the depth of a foot, was an urn of 
coarse red earth, holding from one to two gallons, and filled with 
burnt human bones; the mouth inverted on a rough flat stone. The 
urn was broken, but has been restored sufficiently to show its form 
and size. On each side of the urn there is a deep crack, and on 
each side of the cracks are neatly bored holes, evidently made for 
the insertion of thongs or cords, by which the urn might be held 
together and the further extension of the cracks prevented. The 
two intermediate mounds had been previously opened; but in one 
of them was a circular chipped disc of flint, such as, though un- 
usual in the Wiltshire barrows, are common in those of Yorkshire 
and Derbyshire. 

Three low barrows, between St. Anne’s Hill and Milk Hill, on 
the escarpment of the downs close to Wansdyke, were examined ; 
in the first of which a few scattered bones of ruminants, and in the | 
third, traces of incinerated bones were alone met with. 

17. In the second, at a depth of two feet, were bones and teeth 
of sheep and oxen; at three feet two small pieces of deer’s horn 
and a fragment of coarse black pottery, and at four and a half feet, 
two circular cists scooped out of the chalk rock, a foot or two apart, 
each two feet and a half in diameter. These were filled with grey 
ashes, with no distinct trace of burnt bone. Deposits of this kind, 
to the exclusion of interments, properly so called, have before been 
found in the barrows of Wiltshire, and are termed cineraria in the 
descriptions of Sir R. C. Hoare. 

On Walker’s Hill, Alton-Priors Down, near the very large 
long barrow, by which it is distinguished,! are three small mounds; 
two of which disclosed marks of interment after cremation; they 
had been previously opened. The smaller one was not examined. 

11. A small barrow, under cultivation, somewhat more to the 
west and not more than a foot in height, presented no trace of in- 
terment, after careful investigation. 

To the east of Walker’s Hill is Knap Hill, having on its sum- 


' Ancient Wilts, vol. ii. pp. 12, 46. Salisbury Vol. of the Arch, Inst. p. p. 98. 
x 


326 Examination of Barrows on 


mit a small defensive earthwork or camp. At the foot of this, 
(close to the road to Kennet, and to the line of the old British 
trackway which stretches by Avebury into Berkshire,) are two 
defaced barrows connected by a dyke, extending sixty yards east 
and west. 

19. To the south of the eastern mound, is a small low barrow 
not two feet in height. In digging into it, a few pieces of burnt 
bone were found, and near the centre, the carelessly buried skele- 
ton of an infant. On the west side of the barrow, in a narrow cist 
in the chalk, more than six feet long, was the skeleton of an adult 
female of large stature, stretched at length, the feet to the east, as 


in Christian cemeteries at the present day; 


‘¢ Mindful of Him who in the orient born 
There lived, and on the cross His life resigned; 
And who from out the regions of the morn 
Issuing in pomp shall come to judge mankind.”? 


In the absence of any accompanying relic it is impossible to assign 
a period to this last interment. From the traces of cremation, 
however, it may be inferred that this was an ancient British bar- 
row, which under peculiar circumstances had been used for the 
interment of a woman and child in medieval times. Might it not 
be the case of some unhappy infanticide or suicide, who, excluded 
from the graveyard of the village church, had been taken for inter- 
ment to this pagan burying place on the hill? 

Within the area of the camp on Knap Hill, Sir R. C. Hoare 
describes “‘two small barrows, and another on the outside.’”” 

20. This last, to the south-west of the earthwork, is not more 
than a foot high. An opening, of at least three yards square, was 
made in the centre; but excepting some animal bones near the 
summit, nothing was found after a most careful search. 


1 Wordsworth, it is true, here alludes to the orientation of churches; but 
there can be no doubt that similar views have determined the position of the 
dead in Christian cemeteries. The great medieval ritualist, Durandus, thus 
writes: ‘‘Debet autem quis sic sepeliri ut, capite ad occidentem posito, pedes 
dirigat ad orientem: in quo quasi ipsa positione orat et innuit quod, promptus 
est ut de occasu festinet ad ortum.” De Divinis Offciis: quoted by Abbé Co- 
chet, Arch. vol. xxxvi. p. 261. 

2 Ancient Wilts, vol. ii. p. 12. Maps of Marlborough Station and of Wans- 
ditch. 


a eae 


the Downs of North Wiltshire. 327 


21. The simple bowl barrow at the west end of the camp, is 
about two feet high and surrounded by a slight trench. Near the 
summit, were a few bones of a sheep and perhaps other rumi- 
nants, such as are commonly found in this position in the barrows of 
Wiltshire: they are probably the relics of funeral! feasts or of 
sacrifices over the graves. In the centre, was a circular cist in 
the chalk rock, two feet in diameter and two fect deep, nearly full 
of ashes and burnt bones, but without any other relic. At the east 
end of the camp, the ground has been much disturbed by digging 
for flints, and no trace of any barrow remains. 

The downs and fields around Avebury abound with barrows; 
this locus consecratus, like the later one of Stonehenge, being sur- 
rounded by its primitive British necropolis. One of the most 
remarkable groups is on Kennet or Overton Hill or Down, near the 
site of the “sanctuary” and commencement of the Kennet avenue 
which led to the great circle at Avebury, and a little beyond the 
seventy-ninth milestone from London. There are about ten bar- 
rows in all, seven of which are or have been of conspicuous size, 
and must be those called the Seven Barrows (scofon beorgas) in an 
Anglo-Saxon charter of the tenth century referring to Kennet. 
(Cod. Dip. No. 571). The hill itself went by the name of “Seven 
Barrowes Hill” as late as the seventeenth century, as appears from 
a passage in the curious work, “A Fool’s Bolt soon shot at Stonage.’”! 


_Of this group, seven were opened by Sir R. C. Hoare about 1815. 


The most southerly of the ten is a low mound, not examined by 
Sir Richard, or numbered on his plan.’ It is situated in a ploughed 
land called “ Mill-field,”” where was the double circle of the “sanc- 
tuary,” which field was enclosed in 1685, as we learn from the 
curious letter of Dr. Toope of Marlborough. Here, close to the 
sacred circles, a large number of skeletons were found, with “the 


1 Collected and published by Hearne, with Langtoft’s Chronicle, in 1725, and 
usually attributed to a Mr. John Gibbons. I am, however, indebted to the Rev, 
Canon Jackson for the information, that a note preserved among the Aubrey 
MSS., at the Bodleian, shows it to have been written by a Mr. Jay of Nettle- 
combe, Somersetshire, who died about the year 1675. 

* Ancient Wilts, vol. ii. p. 70, pl. x. A view of this group of barrows, with 
a distinct representation of the triplet in the centre, is given by Stukeley. Abury, 
pl. xxix. p. 56, 

2X 


328 Examination of Barrows on 


feet intending the temple.” The Doctor obtained from this spot 
‘many bushels” of bones, of which he says, “he madea noble medi- 
cine that relieved many of his distressed neighbours!” Cranium ho- 
minis has now lost its reputation, even in epilepsy; and if, at the 
present day, a skull be removed from an ancient barrow, it is for pre- 
servation in the cabinet of the anatomist; where it is treasured for 
the purposes of science. The low mound in this field is perhaps the 
base of the barrow, which Dr. Stukeley says was levelled for plough- 
ing, in 1720, in which was found an unburnt skeleton “within a 
bed of great stones forming a kind of arch,” and with it ‘several 
beads of amber, long and round, as big as one’s thumb end, and 
several enamelled beads of glass, some white and some green.”* 


View from ‘Seven Barrow Hill,’ Overton Down, showing the village of West Kennet, 
Silbury Hill, and a restoration of the Double Circle and Avenue of Stones leading 
to the Great Circle at Avebury. (From a sketch by Mr. J. Waylen.) 


Our excavation, in 1854, disclosed deep trenches in the chalk and 
bits of old fashioned pottery, several large nails, and a ring or loop 
of iron. If not the remains of the barrow described by Stukeley, 
it may perhaps have been the site of a windmill removed before 
the time of Aubrey, and whence the name of the field. 


‘Abury, p. 44. 


the Downs of North Wiltshire. 329 


We re-opened the large barrow, No. 1 on the plan of Sir R. C. 
Hoare, in which he found the large skeleton of a man, “the chief,” 
as he supposed, “‘of the clan that inhabited these downs,” interred 
in “the post of honour adjoining the sacred circle.” Near the head, 
were a small celt, a pin with a handle, and the blade of a small 


Blade of Knife or Lance, Pin, and Celt of Bronze.—Actual size. 
lance (or knife) all of bronze. The skeleton was in the contracted 
position, but did not as usual range north and south, but east and 
west, the feet being to the west—the reverse of the position in 
Christian cemeteries; reminding us of the passage in Cymbeline 
(Act iv. sc. 2.), where Shakespeare makes Guiderius say of the sup- 
posed corpse of Imogen, 


“Nay Cadwal, we must lay his head to the east: 
My father hath a reason for’t.” 


The skull was well preserved, and has been described and figured 
in the “ Orania Britannica; and the whole skeleton justified the 
statement of Sir R. C. Hoare, who says it was “one of the most 
perfect interments he had ever found.”! 

Ny Ancient Wilts, vol. ii. pp. 90, 91, 


330 Examination of Barrows on 


The other barrows of this group, opened by Sir Richard, yielded 
interments after cremation. Three of the number, of an elegant 
bell-form, are curiously united within a common trench, having a 
sort of hour-glass shape Twin barrows thus united are not un- 
common, but a three-fold union is very rare; indeed the only other 
example, with which we are acquainted, is that at Shepherd’s Shore, 
already referred to. Two of those forming the triplet on Overton 
Hill are large barrows (Nos. 3 and 4 on Sir R. C. Hoare’s plan,) 
with an elevation of upwards of ten feet, whilst the intermediate 
mound is not more than three feet high. In each of the large 
barrows, was a deposit of burnt bones; in one, on the surface of the 
chalk, in the other, in a cist scooped out of it; and with these, in 
one (No. 4) a small “lance-head” of bronze and a bit of ivory, sup- 
posed to have belonged to its sheath or handle; of the wood forming 
which there were traces. There was also, in this last, a secondary 
interment of burnt bones in a large rude urn, about two feet from 
the summit. The small central mound is not numbered as a 
barrow on the plan, and was not examined by Sir Richard, who 
perhaps did not regard it as a barrow. 

22. In August 1854, it was found, on opening, to contain a 
deposit of burnt bones in a shallow cist, and a rude bone pin nearly 
five inches in length, which had likewise passed through the fire. 
The bones were of small size, probably those of a female. The 
three barrows doubtless formed a family sepulchre, that perhaps of 
two brothers, with the wife of one, or perhaps of both of them, in 
the centre.! 

Attention was next directed to the miniature mounds in this 
group, immediately to the north of the Roman road, and to the 
south of the barrow numbered 6, on the plan of Sir R. C. Hoare. 
It was extremely doubtful, from their form and trifling elevation, 
whether any of these were sepulchral. In the most southern no- 
thing whatever was found. The second was not examined. In 
the third, of rather larger size, at a depth of less than two feet, 
were a few bits of decayed bronze, of doubtful purpose, and two or 


' The Britons were polyandrous, as we learn from Cesar, (B.G. lib. v. ¢. 14.) 
‘“Uxores habent * * * inter se communes, ct maxime fratres cum fratribus.” 


L 
oo 
~ 


the Downs of North Wiltshire. 331 


three fragments of black pottery, with a thin coin the size of half- 
a-crown, which fell to pieces on removal. There were also some 
ashes and slight traces of burnt bones. 

23. A disc-shaped, or so called, “Druid’s’” barrow, on the brow 
of the hill, a little to the north of that numbered 7, by Sir R. O. 
Hoare, was examined. It is figured by Dr. Stukeley, in Tabs. xix. 
and xxii. of his “Abury.”’ After digging down to the undisturbed 
chalk in the small central mound, nothing whatever was discovered 
to indicate its having been used for sepulchral purposes. 

24. To the south of this last, directly above West Kennet, are 
two barrows, in a ploughed field called “Eight Acres.” Some 
years since, several projecting sarsen stones, we were told, were 
removed from the summit of the most northern, when the skeleton 
of a small horse with his iron shoes,? and three or four large urns 
full of burnt bones were uncovered. In 1857, the skeleton of a 
child, of two or three years, was found at a depth of about two 
feet, with fragments of burnt bones, a bit or two of coarse pottery, 
and the perforated head of a bone pin. Towards the south side of 
our large excavation, several large sarsen stones were uncovered, 
beneath which, at a depth of two and a half feet, lay an entire 
skeleton of small size, in the contracted position, with the head to 
the west, probably that of an aged female. The form of the skull 
is remarkably similar to that of the large man found in the neigh- 
bouring barrow, described above. (No. 1 on Sir R. C. H.’s plan.) 

The other barrow of larger size was excavated to a depth of more 
than seven feet, before reaching the chalk rock, and yielded nothing 
but a tine of deer’s horn. We were afterwards informed that, many 


‘It is much to be regretted that this ill-founded designation of Stukeley’s 
(Stonehenge, pp. 10, 45,) should have been adopted by Sir R. C. Hoare; especi- 
ally as he had come to the reasonable conclusion, from their contents, that the 
barrows so called were the burial places of females. (Ancient Wilts, vol. i. p. 
21; vol. ii. p. 110.) The designation of disc-shaped, which we propose for them, 
seems sufficiently to express their form, which resembles a circular flat dish, sur- 
rounded by a deep rim, presenting, sometimes, one or two slight eminences in the 
centre. 

* As neither the Britons nor Romans used horse-shoes, this skeleton must 
have been a secondary deposit, possibly of late date, 


332 Examination of Barrows on 


years since, nearly a bushel of burnt ashes had been accidentally 
discovered, under a large sarsen stone in this barrow. 

A few barrows, which have been opened on the Downs of South 
Wiltshire, may also be noticed. Near West Everley, on the south 
side of the road to Andover, and about a mile to the west of the 
village, are three low barrows in a ploughed field, which were 
opened in 1853. Nothing was found in the two smaller; but in 

25, the third and central mound, which was between three 
and four feet in height, was a small deposit of burnt bones, some 
charcoal and a small bit of soft reddish pottery. 

On the down, about a mile to the north of those last described, 
and close to the track between Pewsey and Everley, are two very 
fine bell-shaped barrows placed close to each other ;! and in front 
of these, one disc-shaped, or so called, ‘‘Druid’s” barrow, and behind 
and to the north, a small mound, probably not sepulchral, both of 
which last were dug into, without result. 

26. The most eastern of the bell-shaped barrows is upwards of 
thirteen feet in elevation; and in this, in a slight cist scooped out of 
the chalk, was a large deposit of burnt bones, probably those of a 
man, unaccompanied by urn, weapons, or ornaments; and proving, 
as Sir Richard Hoare often found, that ‘‘ we must not judge of the 
contents by the form of a barrow. ronti nulla fides.”* The up- 
per part had been used in later times for a secondary interment ; 
the skeleton of a tall man being met with, about a foot from the 
summit, laid at full length and with the head to the south. The 
arms were close to the sides of the skeleton; the thigh bones 
measured nineteen and a half inches. The skull has an ovoid form, 
the crowns of the teeth are flatly eroded; and, notwithstanding the 
discovery of a few fragments of coarse Roman pottery close by, the 
interment may be attributed to the Anglo-Saxon period. 

27. The more western barrow is not quite so high as the eastern. 
At the depth of about eleven and a half feet, was a heap of burnt 
bones, apparently those of a man; and with these a small bronze 


1 These fine barrows are not referred to by Sir Richard Hoare, in his account of 
the tumuli of this district. They are close to the south side of the ‘‘very per- 
fect oblong earthen work,” described by him. Ancient Wilts, vol. i. p. 190. 

Tumuli Wiltun. p. 23. Ancient Wilts, vol. i. pp. 46, 166, 210. 


ee 


a 


- aes 


the Downs of North Wiltshire. 333 


blade three inches in length, retaining one of the rivets by which 
it had been attached to its handle, and altogether similar to that 
figured at page 329. Adjoining the burnt bones, was a pile of 
grey ashes mixed with wood charcoal. No secondary interment was 
discovered in this barrow. : 

The two groups of barrows above described, are clearly those 
alluded to in a survey of “The Manor of Everleigh,” of the 
time of Elizabeth, printed in this Magazine, by Charles E. 
Long, Esq.;! where they are named as follows :—‘ Thence 
westwarde by the boundes as they lie to a bound on the west side 
of the iij burrowes w‘h devideth this mannor and Uphaven, where- 
hence northwestwarde followinge the balkes and merestones to a 
balle without the two burrowes nere adioyninge to Pewsey waie, 
therehence northwarde to Carrell Pitt, from thence to Popplestone, 
deviding this mannor, Pewsie and Milton.” 


In the preceding paper, the writer has described twenty-seven 
barrows, in addition to others opened and described by former in- 
vestigators. Iffrom these be deducted one specular mound (No. 3), 
one long barrow apparently before opened (No. 138), three tumuli 
in which, if not of the nature of cenotaphs, the interment must have 
been overlooked (Nos. 18, 20, 23), there will remain twenty-two 
in which the original interment seems to have been found. In 
three only of the number, this consisted of the entire skeleton, in 
the primitively contracted position. In the large proportion 
of nineteen, there was distinct evidence of the practice of crema- 
tion; in one of these a cinerarium alone was found (No. 17), in 
another the burnt bones had been collected into an urn (No. 16), 
whilst in the remainder they had been simply deposited in a 
heap on the surface, or in a more or less superficial cist, scooped out 
of the chalk. In two cases, the mound originally devoted to 
burial after cremation, had, in a later age, been resorted to for the 
interment of an entire body stretched at length. (Nos. 19 and 26). 
In seven only of the whole number, and these barrows containing 
interments after cremation, were there the remains of personal 


1 Ante, p, 194. 


334 Examination of Barrows on 


ornaments, weapons, or other relics. In one of these were beauti- 
fully barbed arrow-heads and a knife of flint, (No. 4.); in three, 
pins of bone, (No. 8—in which there was also an earthen cup—12, 
22) ; in one, pins of ivory (No. 9), in one, beads of jet and glass 
(No. 15); and in another, a small blade of bronze (No. 27). 

The researches of the writer in the barrows of North Wiltshire, 
like those of Dean Merewether in the same district, in 1849,! con- 
firm the observations of Sir Richard Hoare, who tells us that he 
found in them “no costly ornaments of jet, amber, or gold,” such 
as “so often had rewarded his labours in the Southern district of 
the county.’? Sir Richard hence draws an inference as to the 
“very high antiquity ” of the tumuli near Avebury, and also as to 
the “poverty” of the clan of Britons who inhabited these downs. 
It is perhaps more to the point to insist on a difference of race in the 
tribesin the two districts; that occupying the North Wiltshire Downs 
appearing to have consisted of the Dobuni of Ptolemy, who clustered 
round their aboriginal fane at Avebury; whilst the tribe in posses- 
sion of South Wiltshire, for some time, perhaps two centuries, 
before our era, consisted of the immigrant Belge. These last 
brought with them from the Continent a more advanced civiliza- 
tion; probably erected Stonehenge; and doubtless maintained a 
more intimate traffic with Gaul than did their northern neighbours. 
Another argument in favour of the priority or distinction of race, 
of those who raised the barrows to the north and south respec- 
tively of Wansdyke and the Vale of Pewsey, is derived from the 
external form of the barrows themselves. It is true, indeed, that 
no form of tumulus is distinctive of either district; but it is also 
true that the more elaborately formed barrows are much more com- 
mon in the Southern district. On the plains around Stonehenge, 
it is the elegant campaniform, or bell-shaped* barrow, and the 


1 Salisbury Vol. of Arch. Institute, p. 82. 


2 Ancient Wilts, vol. ii. pp. 91, 93. Tumuli Wiltun. p. 4. 
3In North Wiltshire, the bell-shaped barrows are rare, but the disc-shaped 
ones of very much rarer occurrence ; and indeed, so far as the writer is aware, 
they do not exceed five or six in number. Now that in the present season, 
1859-60, a large portion of the down north of Shepherd’s Shore is been ploughed 


SRR 7 


the Downs of North Wiitshire. 335 


equally elegant disc-shaped barrow that most frequently arrest 
attention; whilst in North Wiltshire these are of much more rare 
occurrence and give place to the more primitive and simple bowl- 
shaped barrow. 

A few words may be added on the mode of opening barrows. 
Like Mr. Cunnington and Sir R. C. Hoare, our plan has been to 
dig a hole, ten or twelve feet square, in the centre of the mound ; 
and to sink a shaft from the top to the bottom, until the undisturbed 
chalk rock is reached, and the original interment disclosed. By 
this method, when carefully filled up and the turf replaced, the 
external form of the mound is hardly at all affected; and, as Sir R. 
C. Hoare observes, barrows so opened scarcely bear the appearance 
of any examination.! It is the more desirable to allude to this 
point, as in the adjoining county of Dorsetshire, the much more 
costly and tedious method of cutting a trench through the entire 
mound seems to be the plan still usually adopted. The external 
form of the barrow is by this means much more defaced; though 
except in rare cases, such an extensive section cannot be requisite 
for the full disclosure of the contents of the tumulus. It is, however, 
hardly possible to write in measured terms of the injury inflicted on 
these ancient monuments, through the recklessness of those modern 
barrow-diggers, who after satisfying their curiosity, entirely neglect 
to restore 

These grassy barrows of the mighty dead 
to their original form. During a visit to the Dorsetshire coast, 
in August last, the writer witnessed with regret the condition 
in which the remarkable tumulus called “Culliford Tree Bar- 


up, two or three tumuli of this rare form, situated about half a mile to the west 
of the fifth mile-stone from Devizes, are unfortunately threatened with obliter- 
ation. 


‘They do zae that a travelling chap 
Have a put in the Newspeaper now, 
That the bit of green ground on the knap, 
Should be all a-took in vor the plough. 
He do fancy ’tis easy to show, 
‘That we can be but stunpolls at best, 
Vor to leave a green spot where a flower can grow, 
Or a yoot weary walker med rest,” 
Poems in the Dorset Dialect. 2nd Series, By Rev. W. Barnes. 


' Tumuli Wiltun, p. 6. 


336 Examination of Barrows. 


row,” of so much interest as the place of meeting in old times 
of the Courts of the Hundred of the same name, had been left by 
those who had excavated it a year or two before. A wide trench 
had been dug through it on one side, from the summit, and the 
rubble which had been thrown out had not been replaced ; though 
the labour of a single day would have sufficed for the purpose. 
Another subject of regret was the fact, that though, as we were told 
by the neighbouring rustics, human remains, with pottery and cer- 
tain other relics, were found in the barrow, no authentic account 
of the exploration had, so far as we could learn, been put in print. 


I have now completed the account of the examinations I have 
made in the barrows of North Wiltshire. The results may often 
appear insignificant, and the details tedious, and the question may 
arise, Cui bono? If, however, we have failed in discovering the 
rich arms and ornaments of the native Briton, or elaborate urns and 
other objects of aboriginal manufacture, yet, speaking for myself 
and occasional companions, as well as for those by whose manual 
labour the work has chiefly been accomplished, we can at least look 
back to pleasant days passed in active exercise on the breezy downs ; 
where if, like the eastern monarch in the apologue, we have found 
no basilisk, we, like him, have found healthful recreation suited to 
our taste, the results of which, are not, we think, entirely without 
value and interest. 


Erratum. : 


In the description of Barrow No. 1, at p. 317, line 22, for ‘‘ bell-shaped,” 
read ‘‘bowl-shaped.”’ 


— ss oe oe 


337 


Che Flora of Wiltshire: 


COMPRISING THE 


Flowering Plants and Ferns indigenous to the Counts; 
By Tuomas Bruezs Frower, M.R.C.S., F.L.S., &e., &e. 
No. VY. : 


ORDER. ORUCIFER®. (JUSS.) 
Cueirantuus, (Linn.) Watt Frowrr, 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. ii. 


Name. Kheyry is the Arabic name of some sweet scented plant; 
cher is the Greek for the hand. From this and anthos (Gr.) a 
flower, Linneus formed cheiranthus, hand flower, and applied it to 
this plant as fitted for bouquets, with an allusion to the Arabic 
name, which is retained in the specific. 

1. C. Cheiri, (Linn.) Common Wall Flower. Engl. Bot. t. 1934. 
Reich. Icones, ii. 45. 

Locality. Generally distributed, and apparently wild on walls, 
old buildings, and near habitations throughout the county, spread- 
ing rapidly from cultivation. P. FV. April, May. Area, 1. 2.3.4.5. 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, Old walls in the neighbourhood of Salis- 
bury, Amesbury, All Cannings, and Pewsey. 

2. South Middle District, Walls at Devizes, Trowbridge, West- 
bury, Heytesbury, and Market Lavington. 

3. South-west District, Warminster, Maiden Bradley, and Mere. : 

North Division. 

4. North-west District, Bradford, Melksham, Chippenham, Abbey 
walls Malmesbury, and Wootton Basset. 

5. North-east District, Calne, Swindon, Cricklade, and Marl- 
borough. 

The common Wall Flower, a native of rocky situations in 
Southern Europe, is found wild in Switzerland, France, and Spain; 


338 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


and we may presume it was one of the earliest plants which was 
cultivated in our gardens, from its being so constantly found on the 
ruins of our oldest buildings. Turner, one of the earliest English 
writers on plants, calls it Wallgelouer, or hartis-ease. Gerarde 
names it Wall Flower, yellow stocke gillo-flowers, and wall gillo- 
flower. Itis the Keyri or Keiri of the Arabians, the leukoion of 
the Greeks, the Viola lutea of the Latins, and the Girofleée des Mu- 
railles of the French. In floral language the Wall Flower has 
been considered the emblem of fidelity in misfortune, because it 
attaches itself to the desolate, and enlivens the ruins which time 
and neglect would otherwise have rendered repulsive. It conceals 
the savage strokes of feudal times on the castle walls, fills the space 
of the wonted stone in the mouldering abbey, and wreathes a gar- 
land on the crumbling monument no longer noticed by friendly 


relatives. 
‘¢ For this obedient zephyrs bear 
Her light seeds round yon turret’s mould, 
And, undisturbed by tempests, there 
They rise in vegetable gold.” 


There are several varieties of this plant cultivated in gardens, the 
two principal being the red and yellow. These by intermixture of 
impregnation have created numerous trivial varieties, as the yel- 
low striped with a reddish brown, or the red striped with yellow, 
but none of these impart a more delightful fragrance than the wild 
one. Parkinson is the earliest writer that notices the Wall Flower 
with striped or variegated petals. Gerarde notices only the plain 
yellow variety. Some years since the late Mr. Lambert of Boyton, 
introduced into his garden, from Moscow, a most singular and 
beautiful variety of this plant, which was named by him the Cha- 
meleon Wall Flower, as its petals, at first appearance, were of a 
bright yellow, but gradually became paler until they were nearly 
blanched white, after which they changed to a purple tint, so that 
the top flowers were yellow, those in the middle white, and the lower 
blossoms of a lilac or purple. He supposed it to be ainixture of the 
yellow Wall Flower with its kindred the white and purple stock. 
Not unfrequently the Wall Flower presents several interesting 
deviations from normal structure in the floral organs, that cannot 


pg et 


en ae ee 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 339 


fail to arrest the attention, not only of the most casual observer, 
but more especially the vegetable physiologist. Sometimes the 
petals are observed very diminutive, and the anthers changed into 
carpels. Again, in the double state the pedicels or partial flower 
stalks are found very much elongated with joints or constrictions 
at intervals, the constrictions appearing to have been the sites of so 
many whorls of petals, and perhaps of sepals, the pedicel becoming a 
common axis to several flowers, which successively develope them- 
selves as the pedicel advances in length, and then fall off in the 
same order. Instances of deviation from customary modes of struc- 
ture should always engage the particular attention of the botanical 
student. 


Nasturtium, (R. Br.) Cress. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. ii. 


Name from Nasus tortus (Latin) a convulsed nose, in allusion to 
the effect produced by the pungent quality of the plant. 

1. N. officinale, (R. Br.) officinal. Common Water Cress. Sis- 
ymbrium. Engl. Bot. t. 885. Reich. Icones, ii. 50. 

Locality. Running waters and rivulets. Frequent. P. F’. June, 
July. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

General throughout all the districts in Wilts, where it is univer- 
sally used as an early and wholesome spring salad. When growing 
out of water it is more slender with smaller leaves, and is the “N. 
microphyllum,” (R. 4360). When found in deep water with stems 
many feet in length, and often an inch thick, leaves large, resembling 
those of a Sium, it is “N. Siifolium” (R. 4861). Neither of these 
forms haye as yet been observed in the county. The upper sur- 
face of the leaves of Water Cress, like those of other aquatics of 
similar habit, is of an oily smoothness which repels moisture, 
especially when the plant grows floating, its natural and most 
luxuriant state. 

2. N. terrestre, (Sm.) land or marsh Cress. Engl. Bot. t. 1747. 
Reich. Icones, 4862. 

Locality. Muddy places and river banks, not common in the 
county. P. Fl. June, September. Area, 1. * * 4. * 


340 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


South Division. 

1. South-east District, ‘Watery places about Salisbury,” Mayor 
Smith. 

Norih Division. 

4. North-west District, “About Chippenham,’ Dr. Alexander 
Prior. 

It is N. palustre, (De Cand.) and similar in its localities to ““N. 
sylvestre,” (R. Br.) which latter plant has not been recorded as yet 
for Wilts. This species may possibly be not unfrequent: the an- 
nual not creeping root and the copious short thick pods at once 
distinguish it from “ N. sylvestre.”’ 


Barparea, (R. Br.) Rocker or WINTER CREss. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. ii. 


Name. The “ Sancte Barbare herba.”’ Herb of St. Barbara, of 
some of the old herbalists probably, from its flowering about her 
day. 

1. B. vulgaris, (R. Br.) common Yellow Rocket. Bitter Winter 
Cress. Winter Hedge Mustard. Engl. Bot. t. 443. Reich. Icones, 
t. ii. 47. 

Locality. In moist waste places, about hedges, banks of ditches, 
and in marshy meadows, frequent. B. Fl. May, August. Area, 
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

General in all the Districts throughout the county. A minute 
species of Tipula or Gall-Gnat, sometimes renders the flower like 
a hop-blossom, but this metamorphosis does not strictly partake of 
the nature of galls, as it originates not from the egg, but from the 
larva, which in the operation of extracting the seed, in some way 
imparts a morbid action to the juices causing the flower to expand 
unnaturally. A parasitical white fungus ‘‘ Uredo candida’’ of Persoon 
is common on the under side of the leaves, and on the stem of this 
plant in the summer. 


Turritis, (Linn.) Tower Musrarp. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. ii. 
Name. From turris (Lat.) a tower, from the pyramidal growth 
of the plant. 


- 
Se ee ee 


3 
, 
f 
: 
C 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 341 


1. T. glabra, (Linn.) smooth Tower Mustard, Long-podden Tower 
Mustard, Tower’s Treacle. Engl. Bot. t. 777. Reich. Icones, ii. 44. 
Locality. On banks by road sides, and newly cut copses, on a 
dry sandy or gravelly soil Very rarein the connty. A. F/. June, 
guly. “Area, ** * 4, * 
North Division. 

4. North-west District, “In a wood between the gate of Spye 
Park and the House,” Dr. Alexander Prior, N.B.G. In the lane 
leading to the lodge from the Chippenham road. Sandy Lane and 
banks at Westbrook. This species appears at present confined in 
the county to the above district, where it was first noticed by the 
late Mr. Sole as far back as 1782. Ray likewise mentions having 
found this plant in Wiltshire. 


Arasis, (Linn.) Rock Cress. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. ii. 


Name. So called because originally an Arabian genus. 

1. A. hirsuta, (R. Br.) Hairy Rock Cress. Engi. Bot. t. 587. 
Reich. Icones, f. 4342. 

Locality, On walls, rocks, and banks, not unfrequently distri- 
buted in the county. B. Fi. May, June. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, “On the walls of Old Sarum,” I/r. James 
Hussey. ‘ Walls about Salisbury,” Major Smith. “In the neigh- 
bourhood of Bulford,” Dr. Southby. 

2. South Middle District, “On banks near Westbury,” Mrs. 
Overbury. 

3. South-west District, “Warminster and Heytesbury,” Mr. 
Rowden. 

s North Division. 

4. North-west District, “ Chippenham,” Dr. Alexander Prior and 
Mr. C. E. Broome. Conkwell, Box, Kingsdown, and Atworth 
quarries. 

5. North-east District, “Silbury Hill,” Mr. Coward. 

I have observed one or two forms of this plant. Koch and 


- Reichenbach divide this into two or more species. 


e - 


342 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


CarDAMINE, (Linn.) BitTER Crzss. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. it. 

Name, kardamine, an old Greek name of some plant similar (as the 
name implies) to water cress, kardamon, the latter is derived from 
kardia, the heart, or rather the stomach; water cresses being 
reputed stomachic. 

1. CO. impatiens, (Linn.) Narrow-leaved Bitter Cress. Engl. Bot. 
t. 80, Reich. Icones, ii. 26. 

Locality. Hilly districts, generally preferring limestone. Very 
rare in the county. A. Fl. May, June. Area, * * * 4, * 

North Division. 

4. North-west District, “Colerne Park,” Mr. Sole, M.S.Flora. This 
is the only authority I have for the occurrence of ‘“ C. impatiens”’ 
in Wiltshire. The station has been repeatedly sought unsuccess- 
fully by myself and others for many seasons. The plant may 
always be distinguished by the stipules at the base of each leaf 
being narrow, acute, and finely ciliated. Flowers very minute, 
the petals white, but generally wanting; valves of the silique re- 
curving upwards, scattering the seed with great force when touched, 
whence the specific name. 

2. C. hirsuta. (Linn.) Hairy Bitter Cress. Reich. cones, ii. 26. 
Sturms’ Deutschlands Flora, 45, 14. 

Locality. Shady waste ground, and damp walls, frequent. A. J. 
April, June. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

General in all the Districts, moist and rather shady spots seem its 
natural habitats, but it is capable of accommodating itself to all 
soils and situations ; plant generally hairy, but not alway so much 
so as to warrant the specific name. 

3. C. sylvatica, (Link.) Wood Bitter Cress. Engl. Bot. t. 492. 
Reich. Icones, ii. 26. St. 45, 14. 

Locality. In damp woody places, and by banks of streams, fre- 
quent. A. Fi. April, July. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 

Not uncommon in all the Districts. This is the “C. hirsuta,” 
of English Botany, and the ‘“C. flexuosa,” of Withering. The — 
stems are stouter, more deeply channelled, and zigzag than those 
of “C. hirsuta,” leaves more notched, lobed, and elongated. Petals 


ee ees 


s 
By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 343 


Jarger, pods not quite straight on longer, and more spreading pe- 
dicels. Whether really distinct or merely a form of the preceding, 
am quite unprepared to state, after a careful examination of numer- 
ous specimens of both, collected in many parts of the county. 
Bentham, in his excellent ‘‘ Handbook of the British Flora,’ con- 
siders this plant only a luxuriant form of “C. hirsuta.” Koch 
with Grenier and Godron, in their “ Flore de France,’ describes 
them as distinct. In the Cybele its distribution is combined with 
that of “C. hirsuta. 

4. CO. pratensis, (Linn.) Meadow Ladies’-smock Cuckoo Flower. 
Engl. Bot. t. 776. Reich. Icones, ii. 28. 

Locality. Meadows and marshy places. P. April, June. Area, 
1. 2. 3.4. 5. Common in all the Districts. Frequently producing 
double flowers. 

This is perhaps one of the most delicate and beautiful of our 
native plants, which Shakspeare enumerates among the beauties of 
Spring. 

** When daisies pied, and violets blue, 
And Lady-smocks all silyer white, 


And Cuckoo-buds of yellow hue, 
Do paint the meadows with delight.” 


The happy expression ‘silver white,” exactly describes the tint of 
these flowers, some of which are nearly of a pure white colour, 
whilst others have that purple cast so peculiar to highly polished 
silver. As this plant flowers in April, and is in full beauty in the 
month of May, it generally forms with the cowslip, primrose, and 
harebell, a conspicuous figure in the May-day garlands of the 
children of our Wiltshire peasantry. The flowers appearing with 
the Cuckoo, hence one of their English names, and covering the 
meadows as with linen bleaching, is supposed to be the origin of 
the other. The Cuckoo-bud of Shakspeare is thought to be the 
wild Yellow Ranunculus, he mentions the Cuckoo Flower as one of 
those that formed the crown of the wretched Lear, 

5. O. amara, (Linn.) large flowered Bitter Cress. Engi. Bot. t. 
100. Reich. Icones. ii. 27. 

Locality. Moist meadows, near streams, rare in the county. P. 
Hl. May, June. Area, 1. * 3. 4. * 

Y 2 


a 
344 The Flora of Wiitshire. 


South Division. 

1. South-east District, ‘Sides of rivulets near Fisherton Mill,” 
Dr. Maton. 

3. South-west District, “Sides of rivulets near West Dean,’’ 
Major Smith. 

North Division. 

4. North-west District, “Not by any means unfrequent in damp 
meadows at Bromham, as soon as a field is drained it disappears. 
°C. pratensis’ grows with it.” Miss L. Meredith. 

The Jocalities for this species in the “ South Division” may be 
held as doubtful, it would be desirable to have them again verified 
by some good practical botanist. The locality for the “Northern 
Division” rests on the authority of Miss L. Meredith, an accurate 
and most trustworthy observer. I would here remark, that in 
habit ‘“‘C. amara”’ is more aquatic than “C. patensis,” seldom be- 
ing found in the open meadow, unless the soil be swampy, but 
preferring the margins of brooks, streams, and ditches. A young 
botanist would be apt to confound the two, but the broad and deeply 
toothed leaflets of the upper leaves, the yellowish rather than pur- 
ple hue of the large petals, and the deep violet colour of the anthers 
distinguish this species at a glance. 

Hesperis Matronalis, (Linn.) Garden Rocket. Dames Violet. “H. 
inodora,” Engl. Bot. t. 736, has been observed occasionally in dif- 
ferent parts of the county. It can only be considered an escape 
from the “ Flower Garden” where it has been cultivated ever since 
the days of Gerarde, for its delightful fragrance which the flowers 
emit after sunset. 


SisymMBrium, (Linn.) Hepes Musrarp. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. ii. 


Name. From sisibos, (Gr.) a fringe, as some of the species have 
fringed roots. 

1. 8. officinale, (Linn.) common Hedge Mustard, Engl. Bot. t. 
735. Reich. Icones, ii. 72. 

Locality. Banks and waste grounds, very common in all the 
districts. A. 77%. June, July. Area, 1, 2. 3. 4. 5. 


to. owe 


. 
. 
| 


a nt er 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. - 345 


Frequent in almost all soils and situations, and readily distin- 
guished throughout the summer by its long spreading branches, 
densely set with closely pressed siliques, and terminating in a little 
cluster of small lemon coloured flowers. The Hedge Mustard was 
once valued as a stimulant, hence the specific name ‘ officinalis.’ 

2. 8. Irio, (Linn.) London Rocket. Broad-leaved Hedge Mus- 
tard. Engl. Bot. t. 1631. Reich. Icones, ii. 75. 

Locality. In waste ground, on walls, and amongst rubbish, very 
rare. A. F/. June, August. Area, 1. * * * * 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, “Sides of rivulets near Upper Charlton 
Farm,” The late Dr. Maton, “ Hatcher’s Hist. of Salisbury.” “Banks 
and walls, scarce,” Major Smith. 

I have considerable hesitation in quoting the first of the above 
localities, (“by the sides of rivulets,”) for the occurrence of this 
very local species, fearing some other plant may have been mis- 
taken for it. The other likewise requires to be confirmed on more 
trustworthy authority. Mr. James Hussey, who is well acquainted 
with the “Flora of Salisbury,” informs me he has carefully searched 
the neighbourhood for many seasons past without being successful 
in finding it. This plant has likewise been reported for the adjoining 
county (Somerset), but I know not on what authority. That cele- 
brated naturalist, the Rev. John Ray, remarks, that after the great 
fire in London, in the years 1667 and 1668, it came up abundantly 
among the rubbish in the ruins. Dr. Morison, Professor of Botany 
at Oxford, who was living at that time, was particularly struck with 
so singular an appearance, and in his “ Preludia Botanica” has a 
long dialogue on this very subject, in which he seems to argue, 
though certainly very unphilosophically, for its production by spon- 
taneous generation from the fixed and volatile salts, sulphur, &c. 

8. 8. Sophia, (Linn.) Fine-leaved Hedge Mustard. Flix Weed, 
“ Sophia Chirurgorum, the Wisdom of Surgeons,” (an old name of 
the plant,) ‘‘ would not be evinced by any reliance on this herb for 
the cure of fractured limbs, nor are its antidysenteric virtues, to 
which its old English name (Flix or Flux Weed) alludes, better 
ascertained.” Zng/. Bot. t. 963. Reich. Ivones, ii. 74. 


346 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


Locality. Waste places, not uncommon in the county. “gh FF. 
June, August. Area, * * * 4. * 

North Division. 

4. North-west District, “In hedges near Bromham,” Miss L. 
Meredith. 

Not unfrequent among rubbish and in waste places, more gene- 
rally where the soil is calcareous. A highly elegant plant, growing 
to the height of two feet, with a rather slender round branched 
stem: the beauty of its finely divided feather-like foliage fully 
compensates for the inconspicuous character of the inflorescence. 
It was formerly employed as a remedy in hysteria and dysentery, 
from its efficacy in restraining the latter, originated the popular 
name. 

4. S. thalianum, (Gaud.) common Thale Cress, so called after J. 
Thalius, a German Physician. Engl. Bot. t. 901. Reich. Icones, 
ii. 60. (Conringia.) 

Locality. On walls, banks, cottage roofs, and dry gravelly soils, 
frequent. A. Fi. April, May. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. * 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, “Salisbury and its neighbourhood,” Mr. 
James Hussey. 

2. South Middle District, “Shady banks about Fugglestone,” 
Major Smith. 

3. South-west District, “Warminster,” Mr. Rowden. 

North Division. 

4. North-west District, “Chippenham,” Dr. Alexander Prior. 
Spye Park walls, by the side of the Chippenham road, near “Wans 
House,” and Monkton Farley. 

This species has the habit of an Arabis, but the cotyledons are 
incumbent instead of accumbent, characters of so much importance 
in the generic distinction of this order, that I have not hesitated 
to follow Sir W. Hooker in retaining it in its present place. Ad- 
ditional habitats for this species are desired for the Southern as well 
as Northern part of the county. I have no memoranda for this 
species in the neighbourhood of Marlborough, where it can scarcely 
be wanting. 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 347 


Axraria, (Apans.) Heper Gartic. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. ii. 

Name, (Lat.) From allium, garlic, which the plant smells like 
when bruised. 

1. A. officinalis, (Andrzj.) officinal. Jack by the Hedge. Sauce 
alone. Garlick. Treacle Mustard. Engl. Bot. t. 796. Reich. Icones, 
ii. 60. Sisymbrium Alliaria, Smith, Koch. 

Locality. Hedge banks, borders of fields, and waste places, 
especially where the soil is moist and shady. Common, except in 
barren ground. B. Fl. May, June. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

General in all the Districts. This species is ranked by some bot- 
anists in the genus Sisymbrium and Erysimum, but differing from 
both in having the stalks of the seeds flat and winged. The plant 
is common in most parts of Europe, and is occasionally used as a 
pot-herb by the poorer peasantry of Wilts. 


Erysmmum (Linn.) Treacte Musrarp. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. ii. 


Name. Erusimon, a Greek name, derived from erwo, to draw; a 
poultice of the seeds raising a blister. 
1. E. cheiranthéides, (Linn.) Wall Flower (cheiranthus) like. 
Worm seed Treacle Mustard. Engl. Bot. t.942. Reich. Icones, ii. 83. 
Locality. In turnip fields, gardens, osier holts, and hedges, rare. 
B. Fl. June, August. Area, 1. * * 4. * 
South Division. 
1. South-east District, ‘Fields and gardens in the neighbourhood 
of Salisbury,” Major Smith. 
North Division. 
4. North-west District, Cultivated ground about Box and Brom- 
ham. Not truly wild in the county. 
Country people give the seeds to destroy intestinal worms in 
children, and with good effect. It is one of the ingredients of the 
nauseous Venice Treacle, hence its name of Treacle Mustard. 


Brassica, (Linn.) Canpaae. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. ii. 
Name. From the Celtic bresie (modern Gaelic praiseach), a kind 


348 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


of cabbage, or rather pottage made of it. Dr. Withering says it is 
probably derived from brasso, (Gr.) to boil, it being commonly so 
prepared as an esculent vegetable. 

1. B. campestris (Linn.) Field Cabbage, or Wild Navew. Engl. 
Bot. ¢. 2254. Reich. Icones, 4434. 

Locality. Cornfields, and about the banks of ditches. A. or B. 
Fl. June, July. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

In all the Districts throughout the county. Root fusiform, slender 
and annual in the wild plant; often turnip shaped and biennial in 
the cultivated one. Apparently the origin of the Swedish Turnip of 
our agriculturists, and in Scotland it has never been found except 
where the Swedish Turnip had been previously cultivated. 

2. B. Rapa, (Linn.) Rape root or wild Turnip. Rape is the old 
Latin name of the plant. Engl. Bot. ¢. 2176. Reich. Icones, ii. 96. 

Locality. Cultivated fields and their borders, and in waste places, 
more or less completely naturalized. B. FV. April, May. Area, 1. 
2. 3. 4. 5. 

In all the Districts. Varying exceedingly in height according 
to soil. 

3. B. napus, (Linn.) Rape or Cole seed. A word used by Pliny 
and others. Engl. Bot. t. 2146. Reich. Icones, ii. 93. 

Locality. Borders of fields. A. or B. Fi. May, June. Area, 
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

In all the Districts. The slender rooted variety is cultivated for 
the oil produced by its seed, which after pressure, are formed into 
cakes, and used as manure for feeding cattle. Following the ma- 
jority of my correspondents, in here keeping the above three species 
as distinct, 1 am far from being convinced in my own mind of their 
claims to be considered such, feeling myself utterly at a loss to find 
characters by which they may be distinguished. Mr. Babington in 
his excellent ‘Manual,’ unites Rapa and Campestris, and while 
keeping Napus apart as a species, he observes of it, that “it is dif- 
ficult to find any character by which to distinguish this plant from 
the preceding.” Hooker, Arnott, and Bentham state there are 
strong grounds for considering ai/ to be varieties, as they scarcely 
differ in other respects. 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 349 


Srvarpis, (Linn.) Musrarp. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. ii. 

Name. An old Latin word, used by Pliny and others, and bor- 
rowed from the Greek word sienpi. 

1. S. nigra, (Linn.) common black Mustard. Engl. Bot. t. 969. 
Reich. Icones, ii. 88. Brassica (Koch). 

Locality. In fields, waste ground, and on willowy river banks, 
frequent. A. Fl. June, August. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, Salisbury. 

2. South Middle District, Devizes. 

3. South-west District, Warminster. 

North Division. 

4, North-west District, Bradford, Chippenham, Malmesbury. 

5. North-east District, Calne, Marlborough, Swindon, and Crick- 
lade. 

Probably introduced into the county from or with cultivation. 
This is easily distinguished from the other species of sinapis by the 
upper leaves being pendulous, and by the pods being closely pressed 
to the stem. The seeds of this plant, when reduced to powder, 
make the common mustard, so much in request at our tables. It 
is much cultivated in Essex, and the seeds sold to the manufacturers 
of flour of mustard. Itis prepared by drying the seeds on a kiln, and 
grinding them into powder. The black husks of the seeds are sepa- 
rated by very delicate machinery. The French either do not at- 
tempt or do not succeed in separating the husks, as their mustard 
when brought te table is always black. It is, however, more pun- 
gent than ours, because the quality resides chiefly in the husk. 
The constituents of mustard appear to be chiefly starch, mucus, a 
bland fixed oil, an acrid volatile vil, and an ammoniacal salt, but 
the best is that from which the oil has been expressed, as originally 
prepared by Mrs. Clements of Durham. 

—~Phalena fuliginosa lives upon the different species, aud the cater- 
pillar of Pontia daplidice devours the sceds. 

2. 8. arvensis, (Linn.) Field Mustard. Charlock. Hng/. Bot. ¢. 
1748. Reich. Icones, ii. 86. 


Z 


350 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


Locality. Cultivated and moist arable land, especially on clay, 
likewise on waste ground, hedge banks, &c., particularly where the 
soil has been recently disturbed. A. F/. May, October. Area, 
1.2. 3.4.5. 

Much too general in all the districts throughout Wilts. A na- 
tive probably of Southern Europe, but now one of the most abun- 
dant weeds of cornfields all over Britain. 


‘¢O’er the young corn the charlock throws a shade, 
And clasping tares cling round the sickly blade.” 


3. S. alba, (Linn.) White Mustard. It is called alba, white, be- 
cause the seeds are paler than S. nigra, the black or table mustard. 
S. alba with Lepidium sativum form the salad called mustard and 
cress. Engi. Bot. t. 1677. Reich. Icones, ii. 85. 

Locality. Frequent on road sides, waste ground, hedge banks, 
and cultivated fields, especially on chalky soils. A. FV. July. Area, 
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

Frequent in all the Districts. Well distinguished from the other 
British species by its long thin beak, which contains a single seed. 


Drasa, (Linn.) Wuittow Grass. : ° 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. i. 


Name. Drabe, (Gr.) acrid, as are the leaves of many of this tribe. 

1. D. verna, (Linn.) vernal. Common Whitlow Grass. Nailwort. 
Engl. Bot. t. 586. Reich. Icones, i. 12. Erophila vulgaris (D.C.) 

Locality. On walls, rocks, banks, and dry waste ground. A. F/. 
February, March, April, and withers away soon after the seed is 
scattered, the dry scapes supporting the membranous dissepiments 
of the silicule, remaining, however, nearly through the summer. 
Area, 1. 2. 3.4.5. Very common throughout the county. 

This is one of our earliest plants, enlivening the tops of walls, 
rocks, and barren uncultivated places, with its little white blossoms 
at a time when there are very few other flowers to attract our at- 
tention, and though it is insignificant in itself, yet it excites'in us 
the pleasing reflection that the season is approaching when 


‘All that is sweet to smell, all that can charm 
Or eye or ear, bursts forth on every side, 
And crowds upon the senses.” 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 351 


For this reason De Candolle, in making it the type of a new genus, 
has named it Hrophila, from Er, the Spring, and phileo, to love. 

Linnzus in his Tour in Lapland, informs us that the Drdba 
Verna in Smoland is called Rye Flower, because as soon as the 
husbandman sees it in bloom, he is accustomed to sow his Lent 
corn. He observes also, that the flowers hang down in the night, 
and in rainy weather. In some countries, abundance of this little 
plant is supposed to prognosticate dearness of corn, which may have 
some foundation, as a wet season produces a great crop of this little 
weed. 


Armoracis, (Ruppr.) Horse Rapisu. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. i. 


So named by the Romans, from Armorica or Brittany, where it 
was supposed to grow abundantly. The French call it “ Cranson 
de Bretagne.” 

1. A. rusticana, (Baumg.) Common Horse Radish. Engl. Bot. 
t. 2323. Reich. Icones, ii 17, Cochlearia armoracia, (Linn.) 

Locality. By the sides of rivers and ditches, but more common 
on rubbish and waste ground near villages, especially where the soil 
is deep and moist. P. Fi. May. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

Common in all the Districts. The outcast of gardens. Roots long, 
running deep into the ground, proving a troublesome weed when 
once established; well known at our tables, and esteemed for their 
pungent flavour. But probably dates its introduction into England 
with the foundation of Monastic Institutions. 

2. A. amphibia, (Koch.) Amphibious Yellow Cress. Great Water 
Radish. Sisymbrium, (Linn.) Engl. Bot. t. 1840. Reich. Icones, 
4363. 

Locality. By the sides of rivers, streams, and ditches. P. Fi. 
June, August. Area, 1. * * 4. 5. 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, “ Ditches and watery places about Salis- 

bury,” Major Smith and Mr. James Hussey. 
North Division. 

4. North-west District, By the river side at Avon Cliff, near 

z2 


352 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


Bradford. “ By the side of the Avon at Chippenham and Lacock,” 
Dr. Alexander Prior. 

5. North-east District, By the canal between Swindon and Crick- 
lade. 

Perhaps not uncommon in the county. The leaves of this species 
vary much, sometimes being found entire, pinnatifid or toothed ; 
this may be owing to the depth of water or strength of the current. 
On such plants as grow entirely out of the water, the leaves are 
smaller, broader, and merely serrated. Two varieties of A. amphibia 
(Koch.) are noticed by Grenier and Godron in their “Flore de 
France,” viz. Var. a. longisilgiuum, pods /ong, tapering at both ends, 
twice as long as the styles. Var. b. rotundisiliguum, pods globular, 
as long as the styles. The shortness of the pod in this and some 
varieties of the Marsh Water Cress, has induced many botanists 
to associate them with the horse radish in the present genus. 

Camelina sativa, (Crantz.) Gold of Pleasure. Alysswm Engl. Bot. 
#. 1254. C. fetida of “ Babington’s Manual” has occasionally been 
found in cornfields in several parts of the county. Probably intro- 
duced from Germany with corn and flax, where it is extensively 
cultivated for the expressed oil of the seeds. 

Vella annua, (Linn.) Annual Cresset. Valencia Cress. Cress 
Rocket. Found on the authority of Ray, by Mr. Lawson in 1690 on 
Salisbury Plain, not far from Stonehenge. This is the only locality 
in England where V. annua (Linn.) is said to have been found. I 
have sought for it, as many botanists have done, in vain. This 
curious little plant is a native of sandy and waste fields, and along 
way and wall sides in Spain, Balearic Islands, Mauritania, Sicily, 
Greece, and Syria. Floweringin June. Itis represented in English 
Botany t. 1442, and there is a well preserved specimen in the 
Sherardian Herbarium. 


TuLAsrr, (Linn.) Penny Cress. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. i. 


Name. From thlao, (Gr.) to compress or flatten, on account 
probably of its compressed seed vessels. 

1. T. arvense, (Linn.) Corn Penny Cress, or Mithridate Mustard. 
Engl. Bot. t. 1659. Reich. Icones, ii. 5. 


- 


> ae ea 


Th i aay Gr tages ae 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 353 


Locality. Fields and road sides, rare. A. FU. May, July. Area, 
mes * 4, 5. 
South Division. 
2. South Middle District, “ Westbury Downs,” Mrs. Overbury. 
North Division. 
4. North-west District, Road side near Sandy Lane. “ Rudlow 
and Box,” Ur. C. E. Broome. 
5. North-east District, Cornfields at Morden in Purton. 
The only localities recorded at present for this species in Wilts. 


_ The name of Penny Cress alludes to the form and size of the seed 


vessels resembling a silver penny. 


Trrspatia, (R. Br.) Trrsparta. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. i. 


Named by Dr. Robert Brown in honour of the late Mr. Robert 
Teesdale, an excellent British botanist. 

1. T. nudicaulis, (Br.) naked-stalked Teesdalia. Heath Cress. 
Small Shepherd’s Purse. Iberis. Engl. Bot. t. 327. Reich. Icones, 
li. 6. 

Locality. In dry, barren, gravelly, and sandy fields, and mar- 
gins of gravel pits. Very rare in the county. A. F/. May, June. 
rca, * ** 4, * 

North Division. 

4. North-west District, “Sandy banks at the Iron Works, Seend,”’ 
Miss L. Meredith. 

This plant should be looked for in other parts of the county, 
where it can scarcely be absent. 


Iseris, (Linn.) Canny Turt. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. i. 


Named from Iberia, or Spain, where many of the species grow. 

1. I. amara, (Linn.) bitter or common Candy Tuft. White 
Candy Tuft. Clown’s Mustard. Engl. Bot. t. 52. Reich. Icones, 
m 7. 

Locality. Chalky fields, rare. A. F/. July, August. Area, * * 
3.** 


354 The Flora of Wiitshire. 


South Division. 
3. South-west District, ‘“Chalky fields near Boyton, also near 
Norton Bavant,” Miss L. Meredith. 
Confined to Chalky fields in the South of the county. This 
species is a native of Europe, from Portugal to Germany, and from 
England to Italy. It is often cultivated in the flower garden, 
where its brilliant white blossoms are very ornamental. 


Leripium, (Linn.) Preprer Wort. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. i. 


Name. Lepidion, a kind of cress, a diminutive of Lepis, a scale, 
referring to the form of the little pouches. 

1. L. campestre, (R. Br.) Field Pepper Wort. Engl. Bot. t. 
1385. Reich. Icones, ii. 9. 

Locality. Borders of cornfields, and on cultivated ground, gene- 
rally where the soil is dry and gravelly. A. F/. June, August. 
Area, * 2. 3. 4. 5. 

South Division. 

2. South Middle District, More or less distributed over Salisbury 
Plain. “Westbury,” Drs. Overbury. 

3. South-west District, “In the neighbourhood of Warminster,” 
Mr. Rowden. 

North Division. 

4, North-west District, Fields about Bromham and Sandridge. 
“ Chippenham,” Dr. Alexander Prior. 

5. North-east District, Marlborough Downs. “Burbage,” Mr. 
William Bartlett. 

I have seen no specimens from the South-east District, where it 
can scarcely be absent. The little glossy scales with which the 
pouch is covered, and the shortness of the style distinguish this 
species at a glance from L. Smithii (Hook), which has not been 
observed as yet in Wilts, all specimens so called are merely refer- 
able to “ L. eampestre.” 

L. sativum, (Linn.) occasionally observed on waste ground ip 
several parts of the county, is merely an escape from cultivation. 


: 
é 
; 
: 
: 
; 


i+, «ff Ot 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 355 


CapsELLA, (VENT.) SHEPHERD’s Purse. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. i. 

Name. A corruption of Capsula, (Lat.) a capsule, which is a 
diminutive of capsa, a case. ; 

1. C. Bursa Pastoris, (D.C.) common Shepherd’s Purse, Bursa 
signifying a purse, Pastoris, of a Shepherd, referring to the form 
of the seed vessel. Engi. Bot. t. 1485. Reich. Icones. Thlaspi, 
(Smith.) 

Locality. Waste and cultivated ground, abundant. A. F7. March, 
October. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

General in ali the Districts. This plant is a native of almost every 
part of the world, and begins to flower long before it has attained 
its full size, the flowers at first forming a corymb, which after- 
wards becomes a long spike-like raceme. The stem also, at first 
simple, in time becomes branched, the first branches issuing from 
its upper part. 

March and April are the months in which it is most generally 
found in flower, yet like the Growndsel (Senecio vulgaris) and Poa 
annua it may be found in this state at almost any time of the year. 
The radical leaves differ so exceedingly in their appearance, that 
the most expert botanist is often obliged to have recourse to its 
most striking character, the shape of its seed vessels, before he can 
with certainty distinguish it. When it grows on walls and in dry 
situations, the root-leaves are more deeply divided and the seg- 
ments become much narrower, in cultivated ground they are broader 
and less jagged, and in dry barren chalk the leaves are all entire. 
It is a strong instance of the influence of soil and situation, some- 
times not being more than two or three inches high when it flowers 
and perfects its seeds, whilst in other situations it attains the height 
of as many feet. A small white parasitic fungus, Uredo candida, 
Grev. Scot. Crypt. Fl. t. 251, and Hook. Br. Fi. vol. ii. pt. ii. p. 
384, is frequently met with on this plant. Another minute white 
fungus, Botrytis parasitica, Hook. Br. Fl. vol. ii. pt. ii. p. 3438, is 
also common on this plant, being parasitic on those parts of it which 
are attacked by the Uredo. 


356 The Flora of Wiitshire. 


SENEBIERA, (Pers.) Warr Cress. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. i. 

Named in honour of IW. Senebdier, an eminent Genevese physio- 
logist. 

1. S. coronopus, (Poiret.) common Wart Cress. Swines Cress. 
Compounded of korone, a crow, and pous, a foot, illustrative of the 
shape of its leaves. Engl. Bot. t. 1660. Reich. Icones, ii. 9. Coro- 
nopus Ruellii (Smith). 

Locality. Rich waste ground, chiefly in the vicinity of farmyards. 
A. Fi. June, September. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

Although this plant has not been observed but sparingly in any 
of the districts, yet it may not be uncommon, but inconspicuous. 


Rapwants, (Linn.) Rapisu. 
Linn. Cl. xv. Ord. i. 


Name. From ra, (Gr.) quickly, and phainomat, (Gr.) to appear, 
from its rapid vegetation. 

1. R. Raphanistrum, (Linn.) Wild Radish. Jointed Charlock. 
White Charlock. 

The termination,-astrum or-istrum, was attached by the Romans 
to the names of cultivated plants, to denote wild ones resembling 
them, thus, apiastrum from apium; menthastrum from mentha; 
rapistrum from rapa; siliquastrum from siliqgua; and similarly ole- 
aster and pinaster from olea and pinus. Raphanistrum therefore 
means garden-radish-like. Engl. Bot. t. 856. Reich. Icones, 4172. 

Locality. In cornfields and waste grounds, on a gravelly soil, 
often a troublesome weed. A. FV. June, August. Area, 1. 2. 3.4.5. 

General in all the Districts. Equally frequent and troublesome 
a weed as Sinapis arvensis, which is its general companion in arable 
land, and liable to be confounded with it by the student. The closed 
calyx, however, and deeply veined petals sufficiently distinguish 
this, even previous to the:production of the siliques, which render 
the generic character too obvious to be mistaken. Flowers mostly 
yellow, with deep purple veins changing to white in maturity. The 
fruit of Raphanus consists of a very small two-celled pedicelliform, 
usually sterile pod, with a long moniliform beak bearing the seeds, 


| 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 357 


and dividing transversely into as many indehiscent cells, as there 
are seeds. This is the true structure of the siliqua lomentacea. 


ORDER. RESEDACEA. (DE CAND.) 
Resepa, (Linn.) MicNIoneEtrve. 
Linn. Cl. xi. Ord. iii. 


Name. From resedo, (Lat.) to allay pain. “Reseda morbos reseda.” 
(i.e. “Reseda, allay these diseases”) are part of the words of a charm 
quoted by Pliny. 

1. R. lutea, (Linn.) Wild Mignionette. Yellow Rocket. Engi. 
Bot. t. 321. Reich. Icones, ii. 100. 

Locality. Waste places in chalky and limestone districts. B. 
Fi. June, August. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

South Division. 

South-east District, “ Not uncommon on the chalk in the neigh- 
bourhood of Salisbury,” DWajor Smith and Mr. James Hussey. 
“Amesbury,” Dr. Southby. 

2. South Middle District, More or less distributed over Salisbury 
Plain. “ Devizes,” Miss Cunnington. “Westbury,” Mrs. Overbury. 

3. South-west District, “ Warminster,’ Mr. Wheeler. “Fifield,” 
Miss C. M. Griffith. Hindon and Great Ridge. 

North Division. 

4. North-west District, Abundant in neglected quarries about 
North Wraxhall, Castle Combe, and Corsham. “Chippenham,” 
Dr. Alexander Prior. Kingsdown and Atworth. 

5. North-east District, ‘Great Bedwyn,” Mr. William Bartlett. 

This species much resembles the Sweet Mignionette “R. odorata” 
of the gardens, a native of Egypt." 


1 By a manuscript note in the library of the late Sir Joseph Banks, it appears 
that the seed of the Mignionette was sent in 1742, by Lord Bateman, from the 
Royal Garden at Paris to Mr. Richard Bateman at Old Windsor, but we should 
presume that this seed was not dispersed, and perhaps not cultivated beyond 
Mr. Bateman’s garden, as we find that Mr. Miller received the seed from Dr, 
Adrian Van Royen of Leyden, and cultivated it in the Botanic Garden at Chel- 
sea, in the year 1752. From Chelsea it soon got into the gardens of the London 
florists, so as to enable them to supply the metropolis with plants to furnish out 
the balconies, which is noticed by Cowper, who attained the age of twenty-one 
in the year that this flower first perfumed the British atmosphere by its fra- 

AA 


358 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


2. R. luteola, (Linn.) Dyer’s Rocket. Yellow Weed. Weld. 
Luteolus signifying yellowish, a diminutive of luteus. Engl. Bot. t. 
320. Reich. Icones, 11. 99. 

Locality. Waste chalky ground, frequent. B. F/. July, August. 
Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

General throughout ali the Districts in waste places, particularly 
on chalk or limestone. The whole plant gathered in the flowering 
season yields a rich yellow dye, much employed by our manufac- 
turers of cotton and woollen stuffs, for which purpose it is cultivated 
in some parts of England. 


ORDER. CISTACEA. (JUSS.) 
HELIANTHEMUM, (GaeErRtT.) Rock Rosse. 
Linn. Cl. xiii. = Ord. 1. 

Name. From Helios, (Gr.) the Sun, and Anthemon, a flower; 
the flowers opening only in bright sunshine. 

1. H. vulgare, (Gaert.) Common Sun Rose or Rock Rose. Dwarf 
Cistus. Cistus Helianthemum, Engl. Bot. t. 1821. C. tomentosus, 
Engl. Bot. 2208. Reich. Icones, 4547, 4548. 

Locality. Dry hilly pastures on gravelly soil, and pretty. gene- 
ral wherever the chalk comes to the surface, increasing in fre- 
quency northwards. P. Sh. Fl. May, September. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

General in all the Districts. Varying much in the size and shape 
of its leaves, and the amount of hoariness and pubescence. 

The corolla consists of five roundish petals, that are large in 
comparison to the size of the plant, and which burst from the con- 
finement of the small calyx with such velocity, that although they 
instantly expand to a horizontal position, their crumpled petals 
never become smooth, which circumstance forms a general charac- 
ter in nearly all the species. 

The Rock Roses of our gardens are chiefly varieties of H. vulgare, 
which under cultivation varies much in the colour of its flowers. 


grance. The author of the ‘‘ Task ” soon afterwards celebrates it as a favourite 


plant in London, 
*‘the sashes fronted with a range 
Of orange, myrtle, or the Fragrant Weed.”’ 
Elsewhere he calls it 
“The Fragrant Weed, 
The Frenchman’s darling.” 


By .Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 309 


ORDER. VIOLACES. (DE CAND.) 
Viota, (Linn.) VIoLer. 
Linn. Cl. vy. Ord. i. 

Name of Celtic origin, in modern Gaelic fail, signifies a smell, 
and fail-chuach a violet. 

1. V. palustris, (Linn.) Marsh Violet. Engl. Bot. t. 444. Reich. 
Icones, iii. 

Locality. Bogs and marshy grounds, very rare in the county. 
P. Fi. April, June. Area, * * 3. 4. * 

South Division. ' 

3. South-west District, “Boggy ground between Donhead and 
Semley,” Mr. James Hussey. 

North Division. 

4. North-west District, “Swampy ground near the Mill in Spye 
Park,” Wiss Meredith. 

The Marsh Violet being a plant of cold mountainous districts, 
should be looked for in the Northern parts of Wilts, especially in 
spongy bogs, wet pastures, swampy woods and thickets. The petals 
are beautifully pencilled with dark purple veins, terminating pos- 
teriorly in a very straight and obtuse spur. 

2. V. hirta, (Linn.) Hairy Violet. Engi. Bot. t. 894. Reich. 
Icones, iii. 

Locality. Woods and pastures, principally in a chalky or lime- 
stone soil, frequent. P. FV. April, May. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

Frequent in all the Districts. Closely allied to the next species, 
“V. odorata,’ (Linn.) and often mistaken for a scentless variety of 
_ that general favourite, as it begins to flower nearly as soon, but 

Jasts much longer in blossom; chiefly distinguished by the want of 
creeping scions, by the greater hairiness of the plant, the hairs on 
| the petioles always spreading, and the spur of the petals compressed, 
- notchannelled: Bracts below the middle of the flower stalk.' 

_ Y. odorata (Linn.) Common Sweet or March Violet. Engl. Bot. 
#619. Reich. Icones, iii. 
. Eocality. Groves and shady banks, frequent. P. Fl. March, 
April. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 


+? The stipules on about the middle of the stem should always be examined in 
_ determining the species of Viola, 2 AA 


360 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


General in all the Districts. A white variety of this species is 
equally common. Bracts above the middle of the flower stalk. Petioles 
with defleced hairs. Some of the later flowers are occasionally found 
more or less imperfect or apetalous. 

Independent of the delightful perfume of this humble flower, 
that ere the swallow comes, 

‘Take the winds of March with beauty,” 


discovering its name and retreat to the most unlettered admirer of 
nature, before our science : 
‘* Ranged the wild rosy things in learned order 
And fill’d with Greek the garden’s blushing border.” 

Other marks sufficiently distinguish it from the preceding. 

V. sylvatica, (Fries.) Wood Violet. Engi. Bot. t. 620. Reich. 
Icones, iii. ¢. xii. 

Locality. Everywhere in woods, thickets, pastures, on banks, 
and bushy places. P. F/. April, August. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

Very general in all the Districts. This is the common plant of 
our banks, hedges, and woods throughout Wilts. In its usual states 
it is known at once by its short upright central stem, from which 
the flowering branches are produced laterally, and extended almost 
horizontally, though ascending towards their extremities. The 
leaves are thin and flexible, broadly cordate, the upper more or less 
attenuating into a point, the lower usually cordate reniform. 

The flowers are lilac purple, with a paler spur and scentless. The 
green colour of the plant has a yellower cast than in the other species. 

This is the “ V. canina” of Smith and Hooker, and the “V. sylva- 
tica”’ of Babington. In its dwarf state it is the “ V. flavicornis” of 
Foster, (Engl. Bot. Suppl. t. 2736,) which has small leaves and, 
large flowers, with a pale, and sometimes yellow, spur. 

V. canina, (Linn.) Dog Violet. Reich. Icones, iii. t. x. Gren. 
et Godr. Fl. de France, i. 180. 

Locality. Open heaths and commons, and on hedge banks, in 
sandy and peaty ground. P. Fi. April, May. Area, 1.2.3.4. 5. 

In all the Districts, but sparingly distributed. This is a distinct 
species from the “ Viola sylvatica” of Fries, and according to Mr. 
H. C. Watson, has been almost always confused with V. sylvatica 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 361 


and V. Jactea, its larger states or forms being referred to the former 
of these two, and its smaller forms to the latter. It is not nearly 
so abundant throughout the county as “ V. sylvatica,” but may be 
distinguished by the want of the short central and barren stem. 
The flowering branches are produced by repeated sub-division of 
the stem itself, and are not lateral growths from it. The leaves 
are thick and rather rigid, variable in shape, with a cordate base, 
mostly inclining to ovate if small and early, and to triangular ovate 
if large and produced later. The flowers are bluish purple with a 
yellow, never blue spur, and scentless; the prevailing colour of the 
leaves and whole plant is a dark grayish or bluish green, and in its 
dwarf form is the V. flavicornis of Smith’s Herbarium. I should 
feel particularly obliged to botanists for any information on the 
distribution of this species in Wilts; and in reporting localities for 
it, care should be taken to particularize the species really intended, 
which the name canina cannot do without explanation, as it may 
now signify either sylvatica, flavicornis, or even Jactea, according to 
the “cybele.” 

V. tricolor, (Linn.) three coloured Violet. Pansy or Heart’s-ease. 
Pansy, from the French ypensée, a thought, 

‘¢ There’s pansies, that’s for thoughts.” —Hamlet, Act iv. s. 5. 
Engl. Bot. t. 1287. Reich. Icones, iii. 21. 

Locality. Cultivated and waste ground, common. A. FV. May, 
September. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

General in ali the Districts with the Var. b. arvensis (Murr.) 
Engl. Bot. Suppl. t. 2712. 

V. lutea. b. amena, (Symes.) has been reported by Miss Meredith 
from the Downs near Imber, (District 2). Further information re- 
specting this species would be desirable. I have seen no specimen. 

In studying the structure of the Violaces, we cannot fail to ad- 
mire the very simple and beautiful arrangement adapted by nature 
for the protection and dispersion of its seed. The capsule consists 
of three valves each, containing about an equal number of germs. 
During the process of ripening, the seed-vessel hangs in a perpen- 
dicular position, and is defended from any excess of moisture by 
the natural umbrella of the calyx. When the seed is nearly ripe, 


3862 The Flora of Wiltshire. 


the containing vessel shrivels and begins to open, and from the 
shrinking and consequent erection of the stem, the whole apparatus 
gradually assumes an upright position, in which the capsule, in- 
stead of being shielded by the calyx, is supported by it. But 
why, it may be asked, should not the seed fall at once from the 
opening vessel, without being elevated to an upright and higher 
position, where its timely dispersion appears to be a matter of greater 
difficulty ? If we examine further into this beautiful contrivance, 
we shall find from the gradual evaporation of moisture, the sides 
of the valves shrink and roll up, and the sharp edges of each at 
this stage pressing upon the contained seeds, bring them, though 
previously arranged in a very irregular manner, into nearly a 
straight line. Each seed is of an oblong shape and is hard, smooth 
and shining, and hence, when the unfolding edge of the shrivelling 
valve presses upon it and slides down behind it, the pressure throws 
it out with a jerk to a distance, proportioned to its elevation above 
the ground. Now may we see the reason why, previous to the 
scattering of the capsule’s contents, that vessel is considerably ele- 
vated, as by a mechanical agency contrived for the purpose. The 
seeds projected from an increased elevation are dispersed through 
a wider circuit, and thereby more effectually fulfil the object of 
their formation. With such wonderful skill is the mechanism of 
a single flower constructed, and with such admirable precision does 
it accomplish all its purposes. 


ORDER. DROSERACEA. (DE CAND.) 


Drosera, (Linn.) SunpEw. 
Linn. Cl. v. Ord. vi. 


Name. From droseros, (Gr.) dewy, from drosos, dew, the pellu- 
cid drops which are secreted by its glandular hairs, appearing like 
drops of dew, and continue in spite of the sun which is fatal to the 
true dew. In Latin of the middle ages, (for it was unnoticed by 
the ancients,) it is called Rvs solis, a mere translation of the com- 
mon name. Nearly all the species stain with a purple colour the 
-c>>r in which they are placed. 


5 


By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 363 


1. D. rotundifolia, (Linn.) Round-leaved Sundew. Engi. Bot. t. 
867. Reich. Icones, iii. 24. 

Locality. In bogs amongst sphagnum, rare. P. FY. July, Au- 
ai. -Avea; 1. * * * * 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, “ Boggy ground about Downton,” Major 
Smith. “ Bog on Alderbury Common,” Mr. James Hussey. “Lang- 
ford and Plaitford Common,” Rev. E. Simms. 

2. D. intermedia (Hayn.) Spathulate-leaved Sundew. D. Jongi- 
folia, (Sm.) Engl. Bot. t. 868. Reich. Icones, iii. 24. 

Locality. Bogs and moist heathy ground. A. Fv. July, August. 
Area, 1. * * * * 

South Division. 

1. South-east District, “ Bog on Alderbury Common,” Turner and 
Diliwyn’s Botanists Guide, observed (1850) growing in the same 
locality. Messrs. James Hussey and W. H. Hatcher. “ Langford — 
and Plaitford Common,” Rev. LE. Simms and Mr. W. H. Hatcher. 

Well distinguished by its rough and not loose coat adhering 
firmly to the rest of the seed, a character observed and figured by 
Dreves and Hayne. 

Parnassia palustris, (Linn.) Grass of Parnassus. I am recently 
informed by Mr James Hussey, that his late brother, Mr. Ambrose 
Hussey, when on a visit at Warneford Place near Highworth, ob- 
served this rare plant in a bog in some plenty, whilst out shooting, 
and brought home a handful of it. His widow, Mrs. A. Hussey, 
has still a specimen preserved in her Herbarium. The adjoining 
county (Berks) coming close up to Warneford Place, I am not in 
a position to state that the plant was seen in Wiltshire, though it 
is believed to have been picked at Sevenhampton, within the county. 
This fact I hope to ascertain by a visit to the locality during the 
ensuing summer. 

About the year 1830, the late Mr. Drummond, an excellent and 
trustworthy observer, whose name appears frequently in the pages 
of Sir W. Hooker’s “ British Flora,” discovered this plant growing 
near Devizes, but I am not aware of its ever having been since 
observed in the neighbourhood, although repeatedly sought for by 


364 The Flora of Wiiltshire. 


myself and other botanists. It should be looked for where the soil 
is a black peat, saturated with spring water, in the Northern Dis- 
tricts of the county. 


ORDER. POLYGALACEA. (JUSS.) 
Poryeata, (Linn.) Mitrx Wort. 
Linn. Cl. xvii. Ord. ii. 


Name. Compounded of polu, much, and gala, milk, the Greek 
name of a plant, supposed to increase the milk of cattle which feed 
on it. 

1. P. vulgaris, (Linn.) Common Milk Wort. Engl. Bot. t. 76. 
Reich. Icones. 

Locality. On chalky, heathy, and moorish grounds, in bushy 
places, pastures, and woods, frequent. P. FJ. June, September. 
Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

General in all the Districts. Varying much in colour, accord- 
ing to soil. 

P. calcarea, (Schultz.) “P. amara,” (Don.) Specimens obligingly 
sent me from numerous correspondents, so named from the chalk 
districts of Wilts, are merely referable to P. vulgaris. I have not 
gathered the true P. calcarea nearer the county than Cuxton in 
Kent. It is figured in Engl. Bot. Suppl. t. 2764. 


365 


Che Great Wiltshire Storm 
Or DecemBer 301TH, 1859. 
By the Rey. Atrrep CHarLEs Suitu, M.A. 


INCE remarkable atmospheric and meteorological pheno- 
mena, which have been observed in Wiltshire, do undoubt- 
edly belong to its Natural History, I shall offer no apology to the 
members of our Society for bringing before them a detailed account 
of the terrific hurricane, (of unprecedented violence in this country, 
as I believe,) which swept over a long but narrow district in 
the Northern division of the county on December 80th, 1859. 
This has been deemed of sufficient importance and interest, not 
only to attract hundreds of the curious from various distant parts 
to see the scene, but to call forth the attention of Mr. G. A. Rowell! 
the scientific assistant keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, at Oxford, 
who has for many years given his attention to such subjects, and 
who has carefully investigated the phenomena of our hurricane, to 
ascertain their bearings on the theory of storms, and with a view 
(as I understand) of bringing the subject under the consideration 
of the Meteorological department of the Board of Works. 

But I would crave the indulgence of my readers for the imper- 
fect manner in which I have explained some of the details, arising 
from an insufficient acquaintance with the science of meteorology. 
At the same time, as I am well aware that in giving a full account 
of this most extraordinary tornado, I shall have to state facts which 
will appear to the uninitiated to border on the marvellous, and to 
relate occurrences, which at first sight seem almost impossible (but 
which, as I know them to be true, I shall not on that account flinch 
from detailing) I would disarm the incredulity of the sceptical, by 


1T would beg here at the outset to express my warmest thanks and obligations 
to Mr. Rowell, not only for the kindness and courtesy with which he has replied 
to my numerous questions, but for very much useful information, and many valu- 
able hints, of which I have availed myself largely throughout this paper passim, 


366 The Great Wiltshire Storm. 


entreating their patience and forbearance, until at least they have 
investigated the subject in some degree for themselves; and I can 
assure them that the deeper they dive into the mysteries of this 
science, the more they will find to astonish and amaze them, more 
particularly if they extend their enquiries beyond our island to 
tropical latitudes, where it is notorious that the hailstorm, the 
rainstorm, the hurricane, and the tornado have their home. And 
if this latter remark seems to weaken my argument, and to allude 
to another phase of the subject inapplicable to our Wiltshire storm, 
I beg at once to bring forward the valuable testimony of Captain 
’ Sherard Osborn, R.N. who declares that in all his experience of 
typhoons in China and other Southern and tropical countries, he 
never had an idea of the power of wind till the day he visited the 
scene of our Wiltshire tornado. 

With these preliminary observations, I now address myself to 
my subject. 

The close of the year 1859 will long be remembered by the in- 
habitants of some of the villages of North Wilts as the period of 
“the Great Storm.” It occurred at about half-past one p.m. on 
Friday, December 30th, and beginning its devastations about a 
mile to the south of Calne, and coming up for the west, it shaped 
its course for E.N.E., and took nearly a straight line in that 
direction for about thirteen miles, its breadth varying from 250 to 
about 400 yards: at what velocity! it rushed over this course it is 

1To avoid misconception I should explain here, that when I speak of the 
rapidity of its passage, I would not by any means imply that the destructive 
effects of the storm were in consequence of the velocity with which it rushed — 
over its track. I believe this could not have been the case, as it would have 
been at a rate of much more than a mile in a minute, whereas several persons 
distinctly heard the roar of the storm (not the thunder) at least three or four 
minutes before it came on or passed by. In the case of the storm, to which I 
shall afterwards allude, at Clyffe Pypard, it passed from Glastonbury to Oxford at 
the rate of about 32 miles per hour, whereas the wind to produce such effects 
must have had a velocity of from 60 to 80 miles in that time. If the destruc- 
tive effects had been produced by the velocity with which the storm passed along 
its track, they would have been more uniform, and the greater violence of the 
hurricane could not have occurred as it did at particular spots; but it is not 
difficult to conceive such jumps or breaks as resulting from the irregularity of 


the rainfall, and consequently of the rarefaction produced by it, as I shall after- 
wards more fully explain. I believe a storm cloud may pass along at a mode- 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 367 


impossible to conjecture, but it seems to be universally allowed 
that from two to three minutes was the time occupied in passing 
over any given spot; and during these few moments, it swept a 
clear and most perceptible path in its onward progress, tearing up 
by the roots and snapping short off the huge trunks of some of the 
largest elms and other trees, unroofing houses, stacks, and cottages, 
and hurling men and cattle to the ground, and dashing them 
furiously to and fro, and rolling them over and over in its rough 
embrace. 

Several persons saw it from a short distance, coming up over 
the open down, but being on one side of its course, they were 
entirely out of it, and felt none of its breath as it tore by. Some 
of these witnesses describe it as a thick volume of smoke, or a 
dense cloud of steam rushing through the air: but to those with- 
in its line, so appalling was its appearance, and so terrific the 
roar of its approach, that the stoutest heart felt unnerved, and the 
steadiest head bewildered at so sudden, so unusual, and so fearful 
a visitation. Most of the villagers sought refuge within their 
houses, apprehending some unwonted catastrophe; while others 
who could not gain shelter in time, had to cling with all their 
might to posts or gates, and even so found great difficulty in with- 
standing the fury of the gale. In an instant the storm was upon 
them, ushered in by a most vivid flash of lightning and an instan- 
taneous clap of thunder, and attended by abundant rain and hail- 
stones of a large size. These, however, seem to have been 
partial in their favours, covering the ground in some places, while 
in others not one was to be seen. And so sudden and furious was 
its onset, so loud and deafening its roar, so strange and unearthly 
the darkness, (not unlike that attending the annular eclipse of the 


rate rate, and yet the wind resulting from the vacuum within the cloud may be 
of any velocity it is possible to imagine; and (as far as I can learn) our hurri- 
cane seems to have passed along in the general direction of the wind blowing at 
the time, which was very high: how high in this particular locality I have no 
means of knowing, but I learn that at Oxford on the 29th it had an average 
velocity of 224, and on the 30th (the day of our storm) 24} miles per hour; 
which is undoubtedly a very high wind: the direction on the two days was 
from 8,W, and W.S.W, 


368 The Great Wiltshire Storm. 


sun the previous year,) so terrific the crash of falling roofs, (tiles 
and rafters and thatch seeming to fill the air, while the windows 
were beaten in by the hail,) that many thought the Judgment Day 
had arrived, and others believed an earthquake was demolishing 
their homes. Indeed, so appalling was the whole scene, and in 
consequence men’s senses seem to have been so paralyzed with ter- 
ror, that, (strange to say,) along the whole line of storm, where 
hundreds of trees were thrown down, scarcely a single individual 
saw or heard a tree fall, and nobody realized what was occurring 
till the hurricane had gone by. But in three minutes the storm 
had passed on, and then when the frightened villagers emerged 
from their cottages, what a sight met the eye on all sides; the 
largest trees torn up by the roots, upheaving tons of earth attached 
to them to a height of fourteen feet above the ground, large 
branches snapped off and carried on many yards from where they 
fell; barns in ruins or prostrate on the ground; ricks demolished, 
and the sheaves carried away; their own houses unroofed, and 
their gardens filled with straw, fallen chimneys, and tiles; and all 
this havoc effected in three minutes of time! 

Such is the general description of the storm, as I have gathered 
it from many eye-witnesses along its whole line, and from a per- 
sonal and very minute inspection of its scene from end toend. I 
proceed now to relate more in detail the exact course it took, and 
the mischief it caused. y 

The first intimation we have of its assuming any great force, the 
first mark indeed of its prowess, is on the property of the Marquis 
of Lansdowne, near the Devizes road, about a mile south of Calne, 
where it broke off the large branch of an oak tree within the pre- 
cincts of Bowood Park: thence, steering eastwards, it partially 
tore off the thatch of a cottage; blew down three trees at Stock 
Street, the property of Mr. Robert Henley; and passed on to the 
Rookery Farm, where it also prostrated several fine elms and de- 
capitated others. Thence to Quemerford Villa, astonishing the 
inmates by bursting in the door and windows: and so on to Mr. 
Slade’s Mill, the property of Mr. Tanner, who suffered so largely 
at Yatesbury: here it scattered far and wide the stone tiles of the 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 369 


roofing of the stables and other buildings, in addition to other 
damage. And now hurling down several trees on its way, it 
reached Blacklands Park (the seat of Mr. Marshall Hall), hitherto 
renowned for its magnificent timber, and then the work of destruc- 
tion began in earnest, all its previous efforts having been mere 
child’s play compared to the fury of its attacks here. First it par- 
tially unroofed the new lodge, and snapped off many of the firs 
which formed ashelter at its back, then rushing forth into the Park, 
swept down no less than one hundred and forty eight trees, some 
of great size and beauty, tearing up some by the roots, and snapping 
off other large trunks, as if they had been twigs ; so that to the in- 
mates of the house, who were looking from the windows, and who 
were slightly removed from the main line of the storm, it appeared 
as if all the trees in the Park were simultaneously, and in an in- 
stant dashed headlong to the earth. But the work of desolation 
goes on apace now, and away goes the storm, leaving Blacklands 
far behind, along the Bath road, which for a good mile from this 
spot and towards Marlborough ‘was blocked up by fallen timber. 
Here too it crossed the road, and visited Mr. Bodman’s farm, 
the property of Lord Lansdowne: then the Hail farm, occupied by 
Mr. Arnold, and belonging to Mr. Heneage, where a vast number 
of trees (amounting in all to about one hundred) were prostrated 
in every direction: and thence to Mr. Maundrell’s farm, the 
property of Mr. Poynder, when again forty more trees were added 
to the list of victims. Here it seems to have contracted its breadth, 
and to have rushed up the gully, along which the greater part of 
the village of Cherhill is built, and here, confined within narrower 
limits, its fury seems to have been poured upon every thing which 
came in its way, so that scarcely a tree stands unscathed, while 
hundreds are lying in every direction, and scarcely a cottage 
retains its roof, the thatch and tiles and in some cases chimneys 
falling victims to its attacks. A few of the most prominent parti- 
culars in this locality may exemplify its violence: and first Cherhill 
Mill deserves especial mention, no less than fifty trees (half of them 
elms, and the remaining half apple and other fruit trees) having been 
thrown down within a very small space ; and yet Mr. Reynolds the 


370 The Great Wiltshire Storm. 


miller, (who in passing to the mill could not reach it before the 
storm was upon him, and clung to a rail of the orchard during its 
entire passage) assures me that he neither heard nor saw a single tree 
fall, so awful and bewildering was the effect of its sudden tremen- 
dous and deafening attack. Again, in another instance, the roof of 
a cottage was lifted off in a mass and deposited in the road: while 
both the Church and the School sustained injury, though not to a 
considerable amount. Throughout this village again the property 
of Mr. Heneage suffered severely, more especially in the farm 
occupied by Mr. Neate, where the roofs of the farm buildings and 
barns were all more or less injured, in addition to the loss of many 
magnificent elms and other trees, to the number of about thirty 
five overthrown or dismantled. And again the farm of Mr. Hanks 
sustained considerable damage, to the roofs of the house and out- 
buildings, as well as to the barn, stack-yard and the trees which 
sheltered them. And now “Excelsior” was the battle cry of the 
hurricane, and with a shriek of victory and a roar of exultation it 
rushed up the narrow ravine at the extreme east of Cherhill, leav- 
ing that village behind it, and on and away for the open down ; 
and chancing to fall in with a wheat rick which stood in its path, 
it carried the greater part along with it, hurling whole sheaves 
several hundred yards, threshing out the corn all over the field, 
and whirling large quantities of straw above a mile. Here it seems 
to have gathered fresh strength, as it reached the high table land 
or plateau of the open down, and to have attained its greatest fury; 
and spying six large trees standing out on the exposed plain, in 
an outlying tract occupied by Mr. Salter, it hurled five of them to 
the ground like ninepins, as it rushed by in its mad career, and 
then on it dashed towards Yatesbury, which was to be the principal 
scene of its triumph. And first, singling out here and there a fir 
tree in some long plantations and belts on my glebe, it snapped 
them off or tore them up, to the number of forty, with most fan- 
tastic partiality, as if sending out a whiff for the purpose, as the 
main body of the storm hurried by, and leaving the surrounding 
trees apparently unruffled by the breeze. Thence, abstaining from 
the slightest injury to the Church, and scarcely removing a tile from 


~ 


, 
: 
f 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 371 


the School, it began a furious onslaught on the timber all around, 
uprooting one of the large yews on my glebe, but sparing the pride 
of our churchyard, (which without partiality I believe to the finest 
and best grown yew tree in the county) and overturning right and 
left, on either side of the church, the large trees on the property 
of Mr. Charles Tanner, which were the ornament of that portion 
of the parish. Then straight away for Mr. John Tanner’s and the 
south end of the village, where it did more damage than in any 
other spot in its whole course: for first it entirely unroofed several 
cottages, ricks and barns: then threw down chimneys and out- 
houses: lifted off in a mass the entire roof of a long cattle-shed, 
which was in a measure protected on the windward side by a large 
barn at no great distance from it: smashed in the windows on 
the south front of the house: laid flat the east and west walls 
of the kitchen garden: prostrated two barns; and uprooted or 
broke off almost all the fine elms round the house: in addition 
to the playful freaks of throwing a cow into a pond, hurling one 
of the large cart horses from one end of the yard to the other, and 
dashing him at length against the shed at the extreme end ; and 
as a climax, taking up a heavy broad-wheeled waggon weighing 22 
ewt., and lifting it over a high hedge, depositing it on its side a 
dozen yards or more from where it stood. After these eccentric 
manceuvres and wondrous feats of strength, away goes the hurri- 
cane for Winterbourne Monkton, coursing again for two miles over 
the open country, and only marking its path here and there by 
overthrowing the few trees which stood in its way. Arrived at 
Monkton, a large barn, a cattle shed, and the trees which sur- 
rounded the stack-yard, all in the occupation of Mr. Eyles, were 
the first victims it attacked, throwing down the barn; an excellent 


one, and of great strength and in good repair; seizing the heavy 


substantial roof of the long and perfectly new cattle shed, (mea- 
suring 53 feet by 16,) and lifting it off the walls which supported 
it in a solid mass; snapping off the fir trees, and uprooting a 
vast number of elms: indeed Mr. Eyles, is the chief sufferer at 
Monkton, though not by any means the only one. The Church 
received considerable damage, the west window being beaten in, 


872 The Great Wiltshire Storm. 


and the roof injured: the School too lost its bell turret and was 
otherwise maltreated: the old Rectory House, which had stood for 
many generations was altogether dismantled and became a ruin, 
and the cottagers who inhabited it were driven out to seek shelter 
elsewhere ; in addition to the unroofing many ricks, sheds, and 
other buildings belonging to Mr. Reed and others. But there is 
no lingering here for the hurricane, for again the cry “ Excelsior’’ 
seems to have rung out upon the blast, as the spirit of the storm 
once more began to mount, and this time to the highest down, 
even to the summit of old Hackpen. Here as it hurried by the 
cottages and barns on the bleak hill-top, that rejoice in the won- 
derful name of “Glory Ann,” (as may be seen in the Ordnance and 
other maps,) it seems to have had a friendly feeling towards 
buildings so exposed and solitary, and merely giving a passing 
salute by scattering a little thatch here and there, down it rushed 
to Temple Farm, in the occupation of Mr. Kemm, where it over- 
turned several trees, and tore off the thatch of barns and other 
buildings. Thence up again to the heights above Rockley, and up- 
rooting a few trees there with its accustomed eccentric partiality, 
away over the open country, and down into the valleys, and up 
again over the intervening downs to Ogbourne St. George, where 
it left its last parting token, by blowing down a small barn and 
two trees. From this point we lose all trace of it, and we may 
conclude it did no farther damage, but had ended its career; for 
though many reports have been circulated of its effects farther on 
and in several localities, they all appear on investigation to have 
been the result of other gales, which were very prevalent all over 
the kingdom at that time, but to have had no connection with 
this, neither the hour nor even the day of such catastrophes 
agreeing with those of our “ great storm” of December 30th. 

Here then we have before us the whole route of the hurricane, 
and its principal points of attack within that route (for to enume- 
rate every item of damage would have been impossible.) And now 
we are in a position to comment upon the above facts, and to draw 
out and examine more leisurely several very remarkable peculiari- 
ties which will not have failed to strike the careful observer. 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 3875 


And first I would call attention to the wonderful preservation of 
life, both of man and beast, for which the infidel with his maxims 
of chance, would find it difficult to account, but wherein God’s 
Providential care for His creatures has been most signally dis- 
played. For though the storm passed through three villages in 
its course; though it occurred in the very middle of the day; and 
though it extended for no less than eleven miles in length by 
nearly a quarter of a mile in breadth; and though hundreds of 
trees were in an instant thrown down, across the roads, and over 
the gardens, and in several cases upon the cottages themselves, yet 
most mercifully not a single life was lost, nor did any serious ac- 
cident occur to either man or beast. Hair-breadth escapes indeed 
there were in abundance: for instance, several men and boys were 
buried under the ruins of fallen barns both at Yatesbury and Monk- 
ton, and how they all escaped the heavy beams and rafters which 
fell around them, seems perfectly miraculous, but they were all 
extricated from their perilous position with no worse result than 
sundry bruises and an exceeding terror. Again, on the north side 
of the road nearly opposite Blacklands a tree fell across a shed, into 
which an old man had run for shelter, but while the shed was 
crushed to the earth, the man escaped unhurt: and again, at Yates- 
bury, Mr. Pontin, the relieving officer of the Calne Union, was in 
imminent danger, from the falling of two large trees, close to him. 
Still more remarkable are some of the instances of narrow escape 
of destruction among the cattle. At the extreme west of Cherhill, 
near Mr. Maundrell’s farm, lies a narrow strip of meadow of about 
half an acre in extent, surrounded with elms, no less than twenty- 
three of which were swept down in an instant, and appeared com- 
pletely to choke up the field; yet it will hardly be believed that a 
donkey belonging to the carpenter, Charles Aland, who dwells 
hard by, and which had been turned into this meadow, was found 
unhurt amidst the prostrate timber, though there appeared scarcely 
a vacant space wherein it could stand. Nor was this the only ani- 
mal bearing a charmed life which the worthy carpenter possessed, 
for a large tree fell across his pig-sty, crushing it to the earth, but 
the pig crept out uninjured, and was found standing by its ruined 

BB 


376 The Great Wiltshire Storm. 


home perfectly untouched. Again at Mr. Neate’s farm in the same 
village, eight cows were inclosed with hurdles in a narrow space, 
and across this enclosure several trees fell in different directions, 
yet not a cow was even scratched, to the amazement of every one 
who has seen the spot. I have already remarked on the overthrow 
of Mr. Tanner’s cart horse and cow at Yatesbury; but when the 
storm was gone by, they seem to have emerged, the one from the 
shed into which he was whirled, the other out of the pond into 
which she was cast, none the worse for their temporary discomfi- 
ture. No less strange was the escape of Mr. Eyles’s oxen at Monk- 
ton, the roof of whose shed was blown off, as I have already de- 
scribed; but when a passage could be effected through the debris, 
hastened by very reasonable doubts as to the possibility of their 
existence, they were discovered tied to their respective posts, in 
no degree injured nor apparently much alarmed. Indeed the only 
creatures which seem to have lost their lives in the hurricane, were 
sundry hares and partridges, three or four of the former having 
been picked up dead, immediately after the storm, and I myself 
having chanced to ride by some of the latter, which I found almost 
entirely denuded of feathers, doubtless the effect of their being 
repeatedly dashed with violence on the earth: but surely with such 
proofs of its fury before us, it is no wonder that such feeble crea- 
tures were powerless before the blast: rather would it have been an 
additional source of astonishment, had they been able to sustain it. 

My next observation refers to the beginning and end of the 
hurricane, for we all feel inclined to enquire whence did it come, 
and whither did it go? And here I will not pretend to affirm 
what must be matter of pure conjecture; for whether it descended 
from above at its first point of attack, as some suppose, or whether 
(as seems more probable) it had been gathering strength farther 
westward; and again at the other extremity, whether it mounted 
aloft, or whether it disported itself farther on the open down, ex- 
pending its fury on the bleak hill side, and so gradually subsiding 
and at length dying away, there is no direct evidence to show: but 
to any one visiting the spot, it is clear that it began with compara- 
tive gentleness, contenting itself at first with tearing off branches 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 377 


and limbs of trees only, but gathering strength in its onward pro- 
gress, and lashing itself into frenzy, very rapidly it increased in 
might, in good sooth crevit ewndo, and by the time it reached Black- 
lands Park, had attained such power, as to be capable of the greatest 
feats of strength, which indeed it was not slow to exhibit. Even 
here, however, I contend it had not attained the height of its fury, 
and not at any rate till it was compressed within the narrow limits 
of the gulley at Cherhill, perhaps not till it reached its mid course 
at Yatesbury, did it put forth its whole strength. And again, 
precisely the same method of gradual decrease seems to have marked 
its finale, for though the overthrow of part of a small barn was its 
last and not unworthy effort, yet it left the surrounding trees and 
buildings comparatively scatheless, and its victims for several miles 
previously had become few, far between and ignoble. For these 
reasons I apprehend, that it began and ended at no great distance 
from the limits I have assigned it, and that it was a genuine 
Wiltshire storm, its birth, life, and death having occurred within 
the heart of the county. 

And now I come to one of the most interesting portions of my 
subject, and would invite careful attention to the general direction 
of the storm, and the remarkable peculiarities attending its pro- 
gress, with reference to the position of the trees and buildings as 
they were prostrated on the ground. I have already said that the 
direct course of the storm was E.N.E., and it will be seen by any 
one who will take the trouble to consult a map, that a line drawn 
from the point of its commencement, one mile south of Calne, to 
that of its final disappearance at Ogbourn St. George, will very 
nearly pass through every farm estate and village enumerated 
above, so that the course of the storm was undoubtedly in a direct 
line; or if the ends did incline slightly towards the north, the 
curve was so slight, as to be almost imperceptible. But notwith- 
standing that the hurricane came up from West to East, we do not 
find the trees and buildings invariably lying in the general direc- 
tion of the storm, indeed there are very many most remarkable 
instances to the contrary, from which I select a few of the more 
prominent. For example, in the narrow strip of meadow above 

2 BB 


378 The Great Wiltshire Storm. 


mentioned, where Aland’s donkey was feeding, the field being in 
shape an acute angled triangle, the acute angle lying towards the 
storm or westwards, the trees which stood on the two long sides of 
the field were almost all thrown inwards and towards one another, 
scarcely a tree on either side falling outwards towards either of the 
adjoining meadows. Again, from the top of Aland’s house (for here 
the storm exhibited great violence) a slate ridge-crest, (or crease, as 
it is provincially termed) weighing 27$lbs., and measuring 43 feet 
long by 7 inches wide, was carried northwards about 40 yards; while 
a rick and some trees standing in a parallel line at Oar, (commonly 
called Whyr) farm, were blown due south. Again at Cherhill, seve- 
ral large elms on Mr. Neate’s land fell across one another in diamet- 
trically opposite directions ; precisely the same thing occurred with 
reference to my own trees in a long plantation, the firs in more than 
one instance fell with their tops towards one another, and in one case 
actually crossing each other on the ground. And again in a field 
to the west of the churchyard at Yatesbury, a row of elms! and a 
row of ash, in parallel lines, and of sufficient size to have served 
for years as the favourite nesting places in a thriving rookery, have 
been uprooted, both lines falling inwards, across the direction of 
the storm, and towards one another. And once more, the east and 
west walls of Mr. Tanner’s kitchen garden were both blown in- 
wards, and so laid flat on the ground: while the cart horse before 
mentioned was blown from the east towards the west, directly in 
the teeth of the general line of the gale. But these are merely 
instances of what may be observed in many localities, and are by 
no means to be considered the only cases of the storm’s attack from 
an unexpected quarter, for several of the houses and other buildings, 
though standing directly exposed to the fury at the hurricane, ex- 
hibit their western fronts perfectly unscathed, while the opposite 


1 These elms, eight in number and each measuring 70 feet in length, were all 
thrown down without an exception; of the ash (which measured 60 feet in 
length) three only of the row of nine were prostrated; the rows of elms and ash 
were about 60 yards apart. In the field east of the churchyard two large elms 
were blown down towards S.E.; and four N.N.W.; these also were 60 yards 
apart: between these two fields stand the church and churehyard, which were 
uninjured. : 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 379 


sides bear marks of injury; and so the eastern no less than the 
western sides of the corn stacks were hurled to the ground, the 
wind appearing to have wrapped round them, and so scattered the 
sheaves in all directions, and to an incredible distance: while the 
trees throughout the whole distance lie facing every point of the 
compass,! though the great majority of course fell eastwards, in the 
general direction of the storm. Now these are very remarkable 
circumstances, and well deserve careful attention, for there must 
be a cause to account for the peculiarity, and for this manifest 
tendency in many instances both in the trees and buildings at- 
tacked to fall inwards towards a common centre and in a narrow 
space. How then is such a phenomenon to be accounted for? There 
are some who affirm that the storm came on with undu/latory move- 
ment, like the waves of the sea, and thus account for its selection 
of certain houses and trees here and there, leaving others all around 
them untouched, as occurred more especially in my own plantations; 
and in the case of a cottage occupied by one Anthony Edwards, 
near Blacklands Park, which stands uninjured in the midst of de- 
struction, not to mention the church at Yatesbury, which seems to 
have been specially protected. But this theory, however ingenious 
and plausible as regards the single question of the eccentric parti- 
ality shown to some, and the furious attack on other objects, utterly 
fails to account for the reversed position of so many of them: but 
certainly if a theory be correct, it ought to meet every case: this 
therefore must at once be abandoned. Others again say that it had 
a rotatory movement, spinning in circles, revolving very rapidly, 
and drawing everything within reach into its vortex as it whirled 
along; and this is probably correct, so far as it goes; for I appre- 
hend that such was the movement of the tornado,’ but even this 


1T should explain here, that though there were occasional instances, (two at 
Quemerford, one at Cherhill, and one at Yatesbury) of trees falling, as it were 
backwards, with their heads turned towards the west, and many others in the 
direction of south and south east, yet by far the more usual position of those 
which were not prostrated in the line of the storm, was more or less northward, 
at every inclination from right across, to the general direction of the storm. 

21 am bound to say that on this point Mr. Rowell entertains a different 
opinion, though in this one particular I venture to differ from him ; his remarks 
on this head are as follows, ‘“‘ Although the whirling of the storm would not tell 


380 The Great Wiltshire Storm. 


advances us only a little way in explanation of the back and side 
currents, driving objects across and in the teeth of the general 
course of the gale, and is not sufficient to account for the more re- 
markable results of the storm. Now no one seems to me to have 
given so probable a solution to this mystery, (and certainly no one 
has made such deep researches and investigated so diligently the 
whole theory of storms) as Mr. Rowell. He states in one of his 
publications on the subject,! after some very masterly arguments 
and a chain of proofs in support of his opinion, “that the vacuum 
or rarefaction created by the fall of rain and the escape of its elec- 
tricity is the cause of storms and tornadoes of all kinds, on the 
theory that particles of vapour are carried up and supported by 
their coatings of electricity; and as water is 860 times heavier than 
air at the sea-level, and as each particle must occupy the space of 
an equal weight of air, it follows that on the fall of an inch of rain 
a vacuum or rarefaction would result in the space above, equal to 
that which would be produced by the abstraction or annihilation 
of 645 cubic feet of air over every square yard where such rain 
might fall, and during the time in which it was falling;” and 
again, that when portions of a cloud are attracted towards the 
earth, or when heavy rain falls, a vast conductor is thus formed 
“for the accumulated electricity of the cloud to the earth; then 
as the passage of electricity is so instantaneous, an enormous va- 
cuum or rarefaction would be produced within the cloud, on the in- 
stant of the passing off of the electricity: matters beneath the 


against the theory T advance still I cannot say that I could see e any ‘evidence of 
a whirlwind in it, and I believe that the position of the trees that fell (as far as 
I saw them) may be accounted for, either from a rush of air right onward into 
the rarefied space produced by the passing of the storm cloud, or by an occa- 
sional lateral rush of air from the northward or southward, but chiefly from — 
the latter. A man in answer to my question of how the rain seemed to fall, 
said, ‘‘it came down in swashes,” and I think it may also be said that 
occasionally the wind came in swashes too. The effect of the wind on the lea~ 
side of houses, &c., gives no evidence of a whirlwind, asI think it may be 
caused by the rarefaction of the air being more complete on the lea-side than on 
the windward of a building as the clouds passed over, and I think that the lateral 
rush of air into such spaces would produce such effects as those I saw.” 

1 See Mr. Rowell’s very able Essay ‘“‘On the cause of rain and its allied 
phenomena,” (Oxford, 1859) which will well repay a careful perusal. 


ee eit 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 381 


cloud would have a tendency to rise into the rarefied space, and 
the inward and upward rush of air into the cloud would carry up 
whatever was within its vortex, in proportion to the intensity of 
its upward force, the rising air assuming more or less the charac- 
ter of a whirlwind, or rushing upwards in sweeping currents from 
all points towards the centre of the tornado.” Now if these state- 
ments are correct (and I see no reason to doubt their accuracy) I 
think when we put them together, we have before us a deduction 
exactly suiting our purpose, and that the heavy fall of rain, as well 
as the abundant discharge of the electrio fluid, both of which cer- 
tainly attended our storm, must have produced, throughout the 
whole course of the tempest, an excessive rarefaction and an enor- 
mous vacuum, sufficient to account for every particular, astonishing 
as some of the incidents undoubtedly are. 

I now propose to apply this theory to some special cases, and 
take the principal feats of the storm in detail. First with reference 
to the waggon, on whose flight over the hedge some of the more 
incredulous have made merry, but which is not in reality by any 
means the most extraordinary instance of the power of the wind. 
I am glad that I have Mr. Rowell’s authority for stating on this 
head, that it may be accounted for, from the expansion of the air 
beneath it first heaving it up, and then the onward rush of air 
carrying it over the hedge; though surely those who accept the 
above theory, will have no difficulty now in assenting to this 
fact, for the waggon, measuring 11 feet by 6, if the whole of the 
pressure of air above it was taken off as the storm cloud passed, 
the expansive force acting on it must have equalled about 63 tons; 
but a sudden rarefaction of one-tenth that amount would have suf- 
ficed to upheave it as the storm went by. The same principle will 
apply to the seizure of the cart horse and the cow, and their inabil- 
ity to stand against the wind, viz. the rarefaction of the air above 
them, and their consequent buoyancy and tendency to rise into the 
rarefied space, while the gale, acting from without the vortex, 


drove them on towards the centre of the tornado, without reference 


to the general direction whence the storm blew. And again, the 
fact that the eastern and western walls of Mr. Tanner’s garden 


382 The Great Wiltshire Storm. 


were both blown inwards, shows that the air must have been 
rarefied by the passing of the cloud, and that they were driven 
in by lateral pressure. But not to prolong the question unneces- 
sarily, I come now to what I apprehend to be the greatest feat of 
the storm, which was the breaking off and hurling to a distance 
of nearly 60 yards before they struck upon the soft ground, the 
heavy tops of three elm trees, standing just above Cherhill Mill, 
whose length was about 25 feet, and whose weight may be conjec- 
tured from the fact, that Mr. Reynolds assures me it required three 
horses, and even then was as much as they could do, to drag them 
one by one into his yard. The above theory of the production of 
a vacuum and its absorbing tendency, aided by the force of the 
gale from without, accounts very satisfactorily to my mind (and 
nothing else will account) for this extraordinary feat; as well as 
for similar instances, of which there are several, of other trees and 
other large limbs hurled a considerable distance ; among which I 
would particularise one at Quemerford Mill, anotherat Mr. Maun- 
drell’s farm blown across an entire meadow, and another in Barrow- 
way at Yatesbury. The removal of the three entire roofs, viz. of 
the cottage at Cherhill (measuring 16 by 18 feet) of the shed at 
Yatesbury (41 by 15 feet) and the cattle shed at Monkton (53 by 
16 feet) though to be accounted for on the same principle, differs in 
certain respects. In neither case does it appear that the walls 
supporting those roofs are in any degree injured, but the roofs seem 
to have been lifted up by some strong upheaving force, as the 
cloud passed over, and then a current in the direction of the storm 
carried them on. And this (I learn from Mr. Rowell) is no un- 
common occurrence during tornadoes, for (I quote again from his 
book) “the great diminution of atmospheric pressure within the 
whirl is shown by the fact that in violent tornadoes, the windows, 
doors, &c., of buildings near the centre of the line of the tornado, 
are very often burst outwards, as if from the expansion of the air 
within the building on the sudden cessation of external pressure : 
even the cellar floors of buildings have been burst upwards during 
such storms, where it has been impossible for the wind to get 
beneath them to force them up.” (276). The same principle of — 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 383 


the expansion of the air within the building will account for the 
striking fact, that in the case of a somewhat lofty house with a 
~ tiled roof at Cherhill, as well as in the case of several thatched cot- 
tages both at Cherhill and Yatesbury, the sides of the roofs most 
exposed to the full fury of the hurricane, and on which the storm 
blew, were uninjured; while the opposite or eastern sides, which 
were apparently protected from the wind, were carried off; where- 
by it seems probable that the expansion of the air within the build- 
ing forced off the roofs on the eastern sides, as the storm cloud 
passed over, while those on the western sides were kept on by the 
air pressing onwards towards the rarefied space in the cloud itself. 
Perhaps the same principle may account for the apparent incon- 
sistency, that in several cases low buildings attached to the eastern 
sides of more lofty houses, and where it would seem impossible for 
them to be affected by the storm, have been completely unroofed, 
as is most strikingly shown at Quemerford Mill. And again, in 
the same manner, on the N.E. side of Cherhill Church, where the 
bank is very steep, and across the line of storm, and the low trees 
and shrubs growing on it are apparently protected from the gale, 
and are very little, if at all higher than the churchyard; where (in 
addition to all this) there was a rick standing on the edge of the 
bank and broadside to the storm, yet the trees on the bank were 
crushed down as by an avalanche, which can only be accounted for 
by the rarefaction of the air in the glen as the storm cloud passed, 
and then by the rush of heavier air down into it. 

I come now to speak of the hail-stones which accompanied the 
storm in large quantities, and which from their enormous size and 
peculiar shapes were almost as extraordinary as the tornado itself: 
moreover, their forms seem to have varied in different localities; 
thus Mr. Spenser of Bowood saw some more resembling flat pieces 
of ice than hail: they were nearly half an inch in thickness, and 
from two to three inches in diameter, star-shaped, with rays rang- 
ing from four to seven in number, and the rays of different sizes. 
Others again were wedge-shaped and about three inches in length, 
and in some cases several of these were frozen together: these 
hail-stones fell clear of the rain-cloud; and Mr, Rowell suggests that 


384 The Great Wiltshire Storm. 


hail of this character probably has given rise to the idea, that has 
sometimes prevailed, that ice had fallen from the clouds, as if the 
water had frozen in sheets and then broken up into angular pieces. 
Others have described them as wedges three inches long, tapering 
to a point at one end, but heavily weighted with a massive lump at 
the base: this was where it was raining at the time; and Mr. Rowell 
considers that this form resulted from the fall of some of the 
wedge-shaped stones precipitated through the lower clouds and 
becoming increased in size by the accumulation of vapours frozen 
on their larger and heavier ends. At Yatesbury again, the hail- 
stones were of an entirely different shape, for they had now lost 
their wedge-like character, and resembled rough irregular stones 
of about two inches in diameter, and this form may perhaps have 
been produced by their being whirled about and retarded in their 
fall, when the storm was at its greatest violence. At Cherhill 
there was little or no hail, but to the north on the hill above, they 
fell freely, and I have a graphic description of their shape from 
Mr. Neate’s shepherd, who likened them to the middle of a waggon 
wheel, with the spokes all broken off. At Monkton no hail was 
seen, though there was an abundance of rain, but at Berwick Bas- 
sett, within little more than half-a-mile of Monkton northwards, 
the hail-stones fell in large quantities, and for their enormous size 
I am happy to be able to adduce the testimony of the Rev. R. Mead 
and Mr. Viveash, who measured some and found them to be 42 
inches, and others again, measured accurately with compasses, 
proved to be no less than 54 inches, and some even to have ex- 
ceeded 6 inches in circumference, with a diameter of half an inch. 
This is undoubtedly a very extraordinary size for English hail- 
stones, though we shall cease to marvel at them so much when we 
come to read the account of hail in tropical regions, as detailed be- 
fore the British Association in 1850 and 1855 by Colonel Sykes in 
his communication “on Indian Hailstorms.” There we are told on 
the best authority, that the hail-stones, which fall in India, in the 
great majority of cases, exceed the size of filberts; but that occa- 
sionally they are as large as pullets’ eggs, oranges, and even cocoa 
nuts and pumpkins; that ¢wo pounds have been given as the actual — 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 385 


weight of a single hail-stone; and that they have on several oc- 
casions caused great loss of life among cattle, and have sometimes 
been fatal to human beings. I may instance the great storm of 
Peshawur, in the Himalayas, in May 18538, when eighty-four hu- 
man beings, and three thousand oxen were killed, the hail-stones 
being hard, compact, and spherical, and measuring nearly a foot 
in circumference: and that at Naine Tal, in the Lower Himalayas, 
in May 1855, where some of the stones weighed above a pound and 
a half, exceeded the dimensions of a cricket ball, struck down men 
and animals, unroofed houses, and destroyed trees. I have the 
greater confidence in adducing the particulars of this latter storm, 
because they are abundantly corroborated by a near relative of my 
own, who was an eye witness to their occurrence. But to return 
to our storm in North Wilts. 

I regret that I have no means of ascertaining the precise amount 
of rain which fell during the hurricane, but that a very copious 
discharge then took place is certain, and by way of obtaining the 
nearest information on this head within my reach, I have instituted 
enquiries at all the mills near which it passed, and from one and all 
I derive the same reply, that the rise of the water was both greater 
and more sudden than was ever remembered on any former occasion 
of other heavy rains: this is the unanimous opinion of the millers 
at Cherhill, Quemerford, and Blacklands Mills, where, though 
within a mile of the source of the stream which turned them, it 
was found necessary to draw the hatches and stop the works for a 
time, on account of the rush of water which bore down with irre- 
sistible fury immediately after the storm had passed by. 

I believe that I have now examined every phenomenon attending 
our great storm: that it has been most disastrous in its effects, and 
that the destruction of property occasioned by it has been very con- 
siderable, there can be no doubt; but the greatest, because the ir- 
reparable, loss consists in the overthrow of so large a number of our 
finest trees, for it may readily be conceived that in the bleak down 
district, every large tree is of unspeakable value as a shelter from 
the wind. But though in these high exposed situations, we are 
often assailed by boisterous breezes, yet in the memory of the oldest 
inhabitant no tradition of anything resembling such a hurricane 


386 The Great Wiltshire Storm. 


exists, with the exception of the storm of September 22nd, 1856, 
which beginning at Glastonbury, and ending at Oxford, devastated 
a portion of the adjacent village of Clyffe-Pypard: the particulars 
of this storm however, though sufficiently astonishing, do not in- 
dicate the same amount of violence as that which marked our recent 
hurricane, neither was its course so continuous or its attacks so uni- 
form, for though its total course from point to point extended no 
less than 75 miles, there were such wide gaps in its appearance, 
and it bounded over such considerable intervals in its onward pas- 
sage, that it was extremely difficult to trace its route. At Clyffe, 
however, and especially on the property of Mr. Goddard, it certainly 
expended its greatest fury, demolishing the fine old trees round the 
Manor House and Vicarage, and leaving a scene of destruction sad 
to behold. One more notice I have of a great Wiltshire storm, 
and that was as long ago as the year 1703, which, however, was 
not confined to this county, though some of its effects here are re- 
corded. We are told! that, ‘‘at Salisbury nearly all the trees in the 
Close fell flat,” and Bishop Ken, then on a visit to his nephew, Mr. 
Isaak Walton, Rector of Poulshot, narrowly escaped with his life: 
while at Collingbourne Ducis, as we learn from a memorandum in 
the Register, “few places in England suffered more than the Par- 
sonage here ; one long barn blown down; all the rest of the barns, 
outhouses, stables, and ricks unthatched, and the dwelling-house 
uncovered: the lead on the chancel was shrivelled up like a scroll, 
and the tower and the body of the Church much damnified.” The 
account closes by saying that “ Providentially both man and beast 
escaped all manner of hurt in these parts ;’’ a Providence in which 
we of 1859 have participated. Another remarkable fact recorded 
in the same Register states, that the winter preceding the great 
storm had been unusually mild, a circumstance which as signally 
differs from our present case, the whole season since last autumn 
having been extremely boisterous, with short intervals of excessive 
mildness. Thus, the close of October set in with the most violent 
winds, and the 25th of that month will long be remembered for 
the loss of the Royal Charter, and many other disastrous shipwrecks 


1«¢A History Military and Municipal of the Ancient Borough of Devizes,” p. 
330. (Devizes, 1859.) 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 387 


and the sad loss of life occasioned thereby all round our coasts. The 
middle of December was no less notorious for the severity of the frost, 
wherein the thermometer on one occasion sank as low as 1° below 
Zero, a degree of cold (as I believe) unparalleled within the memory 
of man, as occurring in this country before Christmas. This was fol- 
lowed by “the great storm” on December 30th, and that again 
by such extreme warmth on the Ist January, 1860, that the ther- 
mometer rose higher on that day than had been recorded for the 
whole month of January for 17 years, standing at one period of 
the day at 57° in the shade. Subsequently to this, the reading of 
the rain guage, for the first four weeks of this year, shows that 
a greater amount of rain had fallen than within the same period 
for several years. Again on Tuesday the 17th of January, the sky 
being perfectly clear and not a cloud to be seen, loud rumblings, 
resembling a heavy discharge of artillery prolonged for above a 
minute startled many persons from the strangeness of the sound, 
and caused all who heard them to look upwards involuntarily. 
These atmospheric noises were heard by numbers in different parts 
of the county, at Yatesbury, Berwick, Collingbourne, the Pewsey 
Vale, on Salisbury Plain, and even (as was stated in the public 
journals) in the neighbourhoods of Reading and Wantage, and they 
are supposed by those most capable of forming a correct opinion to 
have been produced by the passing of a meteor through our atmos- 
phere, near enough to produce sound, but yet invisible on account 
of the broad daylight ; or even if it had been near enough to have 
been within the range of sight, it might have passed unnoticed, 
as the sound produced would have occupied so long a time in 
reaching the ear, that the object which caused it would have passed 
far away from the point to which the sound would direct the eye 
before the noise could be heard.! Since the middle of January we 


} About ten or twelve years since, a very large meteor was observed in the 
zenith of Bristol, and it exploded about fifteen miles from the zenith of Bedford, 
at the estimated height of twenty-one miles, that is, a horizontal distance of about 
forty miles; and although the air at that height must be exceedingly rare, yet 
the report was heard at Oxford like a loud clap of thunder, at between four and 
five minutes after the explosion had taken place. This meteor gave a light like 
that of day, and appeared as large as the moon, but it is probable that it would 
not have been seen in broad daylight. Another meteor fell in 1826 about fifteen 


388 The Great Wiltshire Storm. 


have experienced more boisterous winds and a longer continuance of 
stormy weather than for many years past, the whole of the month 
of February partaking largely of this character, and another hur- 
ricane blowing on the 28th of that month, with sufficient force, to 
overturn two more magnificent elms in Blacklands Park, and several 
trees here, to scatter the tiles of my cow house, and unroof many 
cottages, barns and ricks at Cherhill and Yatesbury, whick had 
just been re-thatched; but this storm was not confined to Wilt- 
shire, nor even to our island, for it seems not only to have swept 
across the whole breadth of England and Wales, (doing especial 
damage on the East Coast, where it raged with unwonted violence,) 
but to have included in its destructive course a great part of the 
Continent, from the latitude of Berlin to that of Paris. 

I should add that the day of our hurricane was marked 
throughout by sudden and violent gusts of wind, accompanied with 
hail and rain in heavy showers; those who were hunting with the 
Duke of Beaufort at Bremhill on that day will not readily forget 
the hail-stones, which descended with such force as to cut their 
hands till their knuckles bled, and to make their horses kick and 
plunge from the pain inflicted by them. Still more will the day 
long be remembered in England as the disastrous day of storm, 
which cost her the life of one of her best officers, as deeply lamented 
as he was highly respected by all, the gallant Captain Harrison of 
the Great Eastern. While those of the inhabitants of North Wilts 
who live within its limits, will never forget to the last day of their 
lives “the great Wiltshire storm of December 30th, 1859.” 


Yatesbury Rectory, Calne, 
‘March 6th, 4860. ALFRED CHAR Les SMITH. 


miles from Oxford: it was evening but still daylight at the time: consequently 
but very little was seen of it as it passed, but several reports like the firing of 
cannon were heard. And again, since writing the above (viz. March 10th,) a 
similar phenomenon occurred at Drogheda, which is said to have struck with the 
deepest terror those who witnessed it. The moon shone out clearly, the atmos- 
phere was calm, and the sky was dotted over with stars, when, about nine o’clock, 
a rumbling noise was heard above, and suddenly the heavens seemed to cleave 
asunder, when a ball of fire, the most brilliant that fancy could imagine, rolled 
along the blue vault, and appeared to descend with the most fearful rapidity. 
For a few seconds the entire town was lighted up so intensely, that many of the 
inhabitants were completely overwhelmed with terror, the startling novelty, as 
well as the brilliancy of the phenomenon combining to cause a complete panic. 


By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 389 


P.S.—Since the above paper has been in type, our Editor, Canon 
Jackson, has communicated to me two facts connected with my 
subject. The one is simply a very brief notice from an old paper, of a 
great storm in North Wilts, just 100 years since, (viz. on February 
16th, 1760,) which passed over Wootton Basset and Rodborne 
Cheney; killed a child and a cow, and prostrated trees and houses. 
The other relates to a hurricane, or rather compound of whirlwind 
and hurricane, which took place at Grittleton, on the afternoon of 
August 14th, 1851. The day had been fine, and very hot: about 
five o’clock an extremely violent storm of rain fell. Just as the 
rain ended, there was a sudden rush of wind, due West to due East: 
and a very black cloud, with a kind of core “as big as a haycock” 
traversed the country, right across in a perfectly straight line, but 
all the time whirling round and round; overthrowing much tim- 
ber, twisting off the tops of tough old oaks with the greatest ease, 
and scattering the ground with great boughs and branches innu- 
merable. It did not make a clear sweep of all before it, but 
appeared to bound along, knocking down at intervals: hitting one 
tree, but entirely missing the next, though quite close and in the 
same straight line. The whole was the work of two or three 
minutes: and the havoc was confined to a breadth of about a hun- 
dred yards. It could be traced by these marks for about four 
miles: and appeared to have then vanished altogether. Canon 
Jackson concludes his account of it by expressing his opinion 
(which I am glad to quote) that this rotatory motion must have 
had a great deal to do with the prostration of the trees (in our 
recent hurricane) against the direction of the storm. 


A. C.S8. 


390 
RAS a Ne Vi11- 248 | 


Lt fle Nevers 
CAild Darell of Hittlecote. 


(No. 3.) 
By C. E. Lone, Ese. 
AARLY the kind permission of the Master of the Rolls I have, for 

) some time, had free access to all documents in the Record 
Office in any degree connected with the county of Wilts; and my 
attention, as the readers of this Magazine are aware, has been, on 
two previous occasions, especially directed to the unravelling of 
those entangled threads by which the story of Darell, and the sup- 
posed Littlecote child murder, has been so long enveloped. With 
the assistance of my friend, Mr. Duffus Hardy of the Record Office, 
IT am enabled to place before the public an accidental, and most 
interesting discovery. This consists, not indeed of the testimony 
long asserted to have been given by the midwife on the imaginary 
trial of Darell at Salisbury, because she, being, as it now appears, 
already dead, could never have attended it; nor before “Judge 
Popham,” who as Aubrey solemnly tells us, ‘(gave sentence ac- 
cording to law;’’ because he was then no Judge at all; but it is 
the deposition made by her, just previous to her death, at Great 
Shefford in Berkshire, where she lived, a place some six miles 
distant from Littlecote, and taken by Mr. Anthony Bridges, the 
principal magistrate and landowner there, confirming, in nearly 
every particular, excepting the most important particulars, viz. 
the ingenious embellishment of the bed curtain—her counting the 
steps of the staircase—her second visit to, and recognition of the 
house—and the crimination of Darell, the tale, as told on tradition- 
ary information, by Lord Webb Seymour to Sir Walter Scott. 

This deposition, together with other papers, all at one time 
evidently-in Darell’s possession, were found, during some recent 
repairs, at the Rolls’ Chapel. They were confusedly mixed up with 
other documents with which they had no connexion. All these 
Darell papers, however, appear, from holes at the top of each folio, 


By C. E. Long, Esq. 391 


to have been, at one time, stitched together. With the exception 
of this deposition, and a short and irrelevant letter from Bridges 
to Darell about a lease of lands, they relate to one subject only, viz. 
the assassination of a person of the name of Brind of Wanborough, 
by two brothers of the name of Browne, in a brawl at the above place. 
With this affair Darell was only connected as a magistrate and a 
landowner. His conduct seems to have been rather praiseworthy 
in objecting to the “price of blood” to be paid to the widow, 
whereas, that of Sir Henry Knevett is open to censure, and the 
result was somewhat of a rupture between Knevett and Darell, 
and their adherents. The dates of these papers are 1577, and 
part of the year 1578. The second letter of Bridges to Darell, the 
last in date on the list, and which will be given as, apparently, al- 
luding to the deposition of the midwife, is, as to the ink, the writ- 
ing, and the age of the paper, similar to the deposition itself. I 
have, therefore, little doubt but that Bridges, according to his pro- 
mise made in that letter, had subsequently the interview, as intima- 
ted, with Darell at Littlecote; that he then gave him the deposition, 
and that the whole set of documents were, eventually, tied up 
together, and kept peradventure in those “ greate chestes” alluded 
to in Vol. iv. page 220, which came into Popham’s possession on 
Darell’s decease, were sent up to London, as we are told, by Pop- 
ham’s agent, Mr. Rede, and ultimately, with a mass of other docu- 
ments, found their way into the Court of Chancery in a cause in 
which the widow of Sir Francis Walsingham, who had purchased 
Darell’s lands at Chilton, was a plaintiff in 1592. (See Vol. iv. p. 
221.) If, therefore, we arrive at the conviction, that the letter 
and the deposition bear nearly the same date, the whole tradition 
of Darell’s trial and acquittal, and the breaking of his neck two 
or three months afterwards, is scattered to the winds, inasmuch as 
we know that the date of his death was Oct. 1, 1589, eleven years 
subsequent to the taking of the deposition. 

I now give the letter of Mr. Bridges, subjoining the deposition 
of the midwife. 

Anthony Bridges to William Darell. 


‘My good Cosen, I commende me hartely unto you, being very sory that my 
happ was not to be at home when you were laste at my house, for I am w 


CC 


392 Wild Darell of Littlecote. 


childe to speake w*" you as well for myne owne matter of twentye poundes, as 
also for other matters w yow wyll wonder to heare, and yet I suppose they 
concerne youre selfe. I have byn of late amongeste eraftye crowders, whoe 
walked w* me on parables a longe tyme, and cowlered "theyre doinges w™ 
suttell sophistrye, still gropinge and undermininge me in matters of greate 
importance, yea, as greate as may be to those partyes to whome they dyd 
apperteyne, but I at the firste, perceaved theyre inglynge, and gave theyre 
doinges in the begininge suche a dashe, that they seemed therew' alle utterly 
discomfited, being as they said, a commissioner chose for them. The matter 
feare you not yf it be no worse then I knowe, there was no partye named whome 
the said matter dyd concerne, otherwyse then a gentleman dwellinge win 
three myles of my house, but I perceaved theyre fetche was not to have me a 
commissioner, but a deponente, yf they coulde have gotten any thinge from 
me that mighte have made for theyre purpose. T wyll tell you alle the sub- 
stance of the matter-(as I conjecture) at oure nexte meetinge, but the partyes I 
may not name. I am nowe rydinge towardes Hampshyre in earneste busines, 
and doe mynde, God willinge, to be at Ludgarshalle this nighte at bed, where 
my busines is suche that I muste remayne thies three dayes as I suppose, and 
in my retorne I wyll God wyllinge, see you at Lyttlecote. My wyfe is already 
rydden towardes Ludgarshall. This I committ yow to Almighte God from 
Shefforde the xxiiij* of Julye 1578. 
“Youre lovinge Cosen and assured 
frende to commande, 
‘¢ ANTHONYE BRIDGES, 

Addressed. ‘‘To the righte worshipfulle my very lovinge Cosen Wylliam Dar- 
rell, Esquier, geve thes at Lyttlecote w' speede.” 


A. Bridges’s* account of Mrs. Barnes’s Deposition. 


‘“‘ Thes are to testefye my knowledge touchinge certeyne speche, w Mother 
Barnes of Shefforde uttered not longe before her deathe, in the p'sence of me 
and others, videlt, that there came unto her house at Shefforde, two men in 
maner leeke servinge men in blacke fryse cotes, rydinge uppon very good 
geldinges or horses, w declared unto her that theyre mystres (as they then 
called her) nameinge Ms Knevett, w*" is nowe the wyfe of S* Henry Knevett, + 
Knighte of Wyltesh, had sente by them comendacions unto her, prayenge 
her of all loves to come unto her forthw‘" accordinge to her p'™mise, shee 


* He was of the family of Bridges of Coberley co. Gloucester, Vide Collins’s Peerage. The Inqui- 
sition at his decease was taken at Abingdon 11 Jac. 1. Eleanor his daughter, and the inheritrix of his 
estates, was married to George Browne, and it was at their mansion at Shefford that Charles the First 
slept, as appears in Symonds’s Diary recently edited for the Camden Society by the contributor of 
this article. ‘*His Majestie lay’ Nov. 19th 1644 ‘‘at Great Shefford in the old manor house of 
Mr. Browne Esq. co. Berks; a parke belonging to it.”” (Symonds p. 153.). Mr. Brydges was allied 
to Darell in three ways, 1. by the marriage of his great grandfather with a Darell, vide the Darell 
pedigree ; Wilts Mag. iv. 226. 2. through his grandmother a Hungerford. 3, through her mother, 
a Fetyplace. Ludgershall Castle belonged to him. By the kindness of the Rev. T. T, Churton, 
Rector of Great Shefford, [am informed that Mr. Bridges was buried March 4th, 1612. Also that 
the entries of Burials at Great Shefford commence in 1599, too late to give us the entry of Mrs. 
Barnes’s name. 

+Sir Henry Knevett married the daughter and heir of Sir James Stumpe of Malmesbury. One of 
their three daughters and coheirs was the wife of the first Earl of Suffolk, by which marriage he 
became possessed of the Charlton Exstute. 


—— 


By C. E. Long, Esq. 393 


beinge as they said, at that time neare her tyme of traveyle of childe whoe 
presently prepared her selfe redy to ryde, and beinge somwhat late in the even- 
inge, shee departed from her said house in the company of the two before 
recited persons, whoe rode w™ her the moste parte of alle that nighte. And 
towardes daye, they broughte her unto a fayre house and alighted her neare a 
doore of the said house, at the w™ doore one of those that broughte her, made 
some little noyse, eyther by knockinge or rynginge of some belle, Whereuppon 
there came to the said doore a tall slender gentleman havinge uppon hym 
a longe goune of blacke velvett, and bringinge a lighte w' him, whoe so 
soone as shee was entred into the said doore, made faste the same, and shutt 
out those that broughte her, and presently broughte her upp a stayres into a 
fayre and a large greate chambre, beinge hanged all aboute w" arras, in the w™ 
chambre there was a chymney, and therein was a greate fyre, and from thence 
throughe the said chambre shee was conveyed unto an other chambre of leeke 
proporcion, and hanged in leeke sorte as the fyrste was, in the wt chambre 
was also a chymney and a greate fyre, and passinge throughe the said seconde 
chambre, shee was broughte into a thyrde chambre, hanged also rychlye w 
arras, in the w chambre there was a bed rychlye and gorgeouslye furnished 
the curteynes of the said bed beinge alle close drawen about the said bed. And 
so soone as shee was entered in at the doore of the laste resited chambre, the 
said partye in the longe velvet goune zouned softly in her eare, sayenge, loe, 
in yonder bed lyethe the gentle woman that you are sente for to come unto, 
goe unto her and see that yow doe youre uttermoste endevoyre towardes her, 
and yf shee be safely delivered, you shall not fayle of a greate rewarde, but yf 
shee myscarry in her traveyle, yow shall dye. Wheruppon as one amased, 
shee departed from the said gentleman to the beddes syde, fyndinge there a 
gentlewoman in traveyle, lyenge in greate estate, as by the furniture uppon her 
and aboute her it dyd appeare, this gentlewomans face beinge covered eyther 
w* a visar or a call* but wtt w I doe not remembre. And shortly after her 
cominge shee was delivered of a man childe, whoe for lacke of other clothes 
was fayne to be wrayped in the myd wyfes aprou, and so was carried by the 
said mid wyfe into one of the two fyrste chambres that shee passed throughe 
at the fyrste w‘ the gentleman fyndinge the said gentleman there at her 
cominge thither whoe demaunded of her, whether the partye that shee came 
from was delivered of childe or no, whoe aunswered that shee was safely deliv- 
ered of a man child w™ shee there presently shewed him, requiringe him that 
some provision of clothes mighte be had to wrapp it w alle, whoe incontinently 
broughte her to the fyre syde, into the w*" fyre he commaunded her to caste 
the childe, wheruppon shee kneeled doune unto him, desyringe him that he 
woulde not seeke to destroye it, but rather geve it unto her, promisinge him to 
keep it as her oune, and to be sworne never to disclose it, the w* thinge the 
gentleman woulde not yelde unto, but forthw™ the childe was caste into the 
fyre, but whether by the mydwyfe her selfe, or by him, or by them both, I doe 
not perfectly remembre. And so soone as this horrible fucte was done, shee 
was commaunded to goe backe agayne to the gentlewoman, where she remayned 
all that day and by nighte was broughte backe agayne by those two men that 
broughte her thither, whoe sett her some myles distante from her house, but 


* A contraction for callot, or calotte ; a cap or coif, 


394 Wild Darell of Littlecote. 


whether two myles or more, I doe not remembre. And I demaundinge of her 
w way shee wente in rydinge thither, shee aunswered that as shee supposed 
shee wente faste by Dunington Parke, leavinge the said parke on her righte 
hande, and demaundinge of her by what houses shee traveyled by, shee aun- 
swered that shee traveyled by dyvers houses w*" shee knewe not, and demaund- 
inge over or throughe what waters shee passed, shee aunswered shee passed 
over a greate and a longe bridge w* as shee veryly supposed was a bridge 
over the Thames, as by the water w passed throughe the said bridge beinge 
very greate shee dyd imagin. 


‘By me, ANTHONYE BRIDGES.” 


It will not be necessary to offer more than a few comments on 
the above documents. The reader may safely be left to draw his 
own conclusions as to the connexion between the passage in 
Bridges’s letter and the date of the deposition. On the deposition 
itself I would observe 

Ist. The mention of the Knevetts was, obviously, a “blind” to 
induce Mistress Barnes to move, and so, in no way, inculpates Sir 
Henry Knevett as regards the murder, though it does lead to a 
suspicion that some of his party may have concocted the affair in 
order to damage the reputation of Darell. But there is another 
point. Are we to believe that this “ Mother Barnes,” who was so 
well known as to have made a promise to cross the county, some 
thirty miles, to Malmesbury, was yet, herself, so ignorant of her 
own immediate neighbourhood as not to be aware that she had 
merely been carried some five or six miles from her home, and 
that she remained a whole day in a house of such pretensions as 
Littlecote, in utter ignorance of where she was staying? Why, it 
would have been dangerous for Darell himself to have faced her, 
as she might very frequently have seen him in her own village 
hard by, where Bridges, being his friend and relation, resided. 

2nd. She is asked to describe her route, and she states that she 
thought that in “going thither” viz. to the unknown mansion, 
“she left Dunington Park” that is the Park of Donnington Castle 
near Newbury, on her “right.” Now if this was the fact, a glance 
at the map will show that she may have gone, we know not where, 
certainly anywhere but to Littlecote. But let us suppose that she 
thought she detected Donnington on her return, and that she was 
taken round by way of Speen, and so by the Lambourne road to 


By C. E. Long, Esq. 395 


Shefford. I speak advisedly on these points, having been born and 
bred in the neighbourhood. Is it credible, I ask, that even by 
night (for she does not say that she was blindfolded) she should 
not have recognised her own little market town of Hungerford, 
five miles only from her own door, and the bridge over the Ken- 
net, mistaking that, to her, well known stream for the broad 
Thames?! Incredible. 

3rd. We come next to the most preposterous part of the whole 
story, viz. that if the lady was safely delivered, she, the midwife, 
was to be well rewarded, whereas if the lady miscarried, poor Mis- 
tress Barnes was to be immolated forthwith. The infant was born 
alive; Mistress Barnes’s throat was not cut; but the poor child 
was committed to the flames! And so we are called upon to credit 
the fact that the tall slender gentleman in black velvet, not being 
a lunatic at large, had such an appetite for infant cremation as, 
unnecessarily, to enact the part of an assassin, and thereby volun- 
teer the making of a halter for his own neck, when a miscarriage 
would have answered his object in a perfectly honest and satisfac- 
tory manner. But perhaps there is no accounting for whims! 
With these observations I am, notwithstanding these periodical 
discoveries, almost tempted to close the case, contented to nonsuit 
the midwife out of her own mouth. Although throughout, I have 
not hesitated to avow my scepticism, I do not say that traditions 
are, in all cases, to be cashiered with scorn, far from it; but we 
well know how, in the ordinary intercourse of our every day life, 
a story improves, and becomes embellished in its progress from 
mouth to mouth; heightened in its colouring, enlarged, if not 
falsified in its facts; and so it turns out as to this Littlecote story 
with its most mysterious beginning, its most magnified middle 
passage, and its most abortive end. One by one the facts have 
melted away, and nothing is left of the dish first served up by our 
good gossip, Aubrey, and subsequently seasoned by the fire-side 
credulity of the villagers, but this contemporaneous tale of ‘“ Mo- 
ther Barnes,” narrated eleven years anterior to Darell’s death, and 
when Popham, reported to have saved him from the hangman, and 
in payment, to have got his estate, was not only no Judge, but not 


396 Wild Darell of Littlecote. 


even Solicitor General; while, in the interval, Camden, the historian 
of the county, even if he heard the rumour was no believer in the 
truth of it, and while Walsingham continued on terms of intimacy 
with the criminal, whom we further find acting as a county 
magistrate, and taking a prominent part in bringing other mur- 
derers to justice. Is it conceivable that a person, with his own 
hands so imbrued, would have ventured to appear as the punisher 
of others at all, that he would have been in the Commission of the 
Peace at all, still less have been selected by Walsingham to take a 
leading part in bringing Brind’s murderers to justice? And to 
crown the value of this village scandal, I may observe, that Great 
Bedwyn, quite in the contrary direction, has, hitherto, been re- 
garded as the home of the midwife. 
C. E. L. 

I avail myself of this opportunity to correct two errors in the pre- 
vious article (No. 2) viz. 1. Wilts Mag. Vol. v. p. 203, 1.9. For “long 
since a seat of the Darells’” read “ not long since, &c.” 2. do. page 
212, 1.381, after “Mr. Harry” the name Bromley should be inserted 
although in the original the name appears as if erased, but why, 
one cannot tell, as the individual was really Henry Bromley son 
and heir of Sir Thomas Bromley, who became Lord Chancellor in 
1579, being succeeded, as Solicitor General, by Popham. This 
Henry Bromley married a Pelham, who, as well as Darell, derived 
her descent from William Lord Sandes, K.G. 


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397 


Donations to the atlusenm and Aibrary. 


The Committee feel great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the follow- 
ing articles, presented to the Society :— 

By the Rt. Rev. tHe Bisaor or Brispane:—A large collection of Minerals 
and Fossils, amounting to many hundred specimens; amongst which are 
numerous illustrations of the geology and mineralogy of the counties of Wilts 
and Somerset; also fine specimens of Gold ore from the Brazils. As a 
collection of minerals, this series is generally very interesting. 

By the Rt. Hon. T. H. Sorneron Estcourt, M.P.:—Tradesmen’s Token issued 
by William Somner, of Devizes, Grocer, in 1652. ; 

By G. Pouterr Scropz, Ese., M.P.:—Pamphlet on the mode of formation of 
Volcanic cones and craters (from the Journal of the Geological Society, Nov. 
1859) octavo. 

By T. E. Birackwett, Esa., C.E., Managing Director of the Grand Trunk 
Railway of Canada:—About 70 skins of various species of birds from Canada. 

By the Rey. Henry H. Meruven, Allcannings :—Specimen of Fossil wood 
from Tisbury. A series of about 80 coins, medals, and tokens found at All- 
cannings. 

By M. BoucnEr Dr PertHEs :—Voyage en Espagne et en Algerie en 1855, By 
the Donor. Paris 1859, octavo. 

By Mr. Cunntneton, Devizes :—Remains of a large Ancient British Funereal 
Urn, found at Bishop’s Cannings, Wilts, by Mr. M. Sloper, Jun, 

By Miss Wickens, Salisbury :—500 impressions from an anastatic plate repre- 
senting two Seals, one the ancient Seal of the Company of Weavers in Salis- 
bury. 

By Mr. W. Burcurr:—Nest of the Norway wasp (Vespa Norwegica), from 
Rangebourn Mill, Potterne. 

By Mr. R. H. Bracxstonn, Lyncombe Hill, Bath :—Lithographic drawing of 
two bronze Celts and Palstaye, found near Ulleskelf, Yorkshire, and now in 
the collection of the Donor. 

By Mr. W. F. Parsons, Wootton Basset :—Drawing of a Chimney piece at 
Little Park Farm (formerly Little Fasterne) in the parish of Wootton Basset, 

By Mr. H. Buus, Devizes :—‘‘ A History Military and Municipal of the Ancient 
Borough of The Devizes; and subordinately, of the entire Hundred of Pot- 
terne and Cannings in which it is included.” 1859, octavo. 


END OF VOL. VI, 


H. Buu, Printer, 4, Saint John Street, Devizes. 


Erratum. 


Page 130, line 4. For ‘‘the Commissioners of Inland Revenue,” read ‘‘the 


132, 
267, 
267, 
270, 


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Crown, to whom, under the management of the Woods, 
Forest and Land Revenue, &c.” 

Make the same correction. 

For ‘‘when” read ‘‘after.”’ 

For ‘‘was” read ‘‘had been.” 

Dele the words ‘‘of Ease.” 


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